Dynamic Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh found himself in trouble for verbal dissent during a critical moment in Friday night’s match against the Storm in Canberra.
Just after scoring his first try of the season, an eager Horsburgh expressed his displeasure to referee Peter Gough following a play-the-ball, but Gough was not having any of it.
The referee blew his whistle, handing possession over to Melbourne, much to the surprise of Horsburgh and his teammates, while the Storm players looked on in amusement.
“I won’t tolerate you taking a shot at me,” Gough stated after the incident in the 11th minute.
“I didn’t say anything!” Horsburgh retorted.
“Off you go, Corey,” Gough dismissed.
Corey Horsburgh during Friday night’s encounter. Fox League
The Storm made it clear they intended to target Horsburgh with their defence from the outset.
Earlier in the match, players like Harry Grant, Stefano Utoikamanu, and Trent Loiero were relentless in their pursuit of the Canberra powerhouse – particularly Grant, who held on for an excessive duration – yet Gough did not award a “six again” to the Raiders.
Grant also kept Horsburgh in the tackle for an extended period, which seemingly prompted Horsburgh’s frustration towards the referee.
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“You can see Horsburgh is getting wound up,” said former Sharks premiership winner Michael Ennis during the Fox League broadcast.
“He’s really blowing up here.
“He’s not going to take this from Peter Gough.”
Sua Faalogo advancing with the ball in Canberra. Getty
The Storm, having fallen behind 12-0, capitalised on the penalty against Horsburgh within the Raiders’ half.
In the subsequent set, electrifying Melbourne fullback Sua Fa’alogo crossed for a try that put the visitors on the scoreboard.
By the conclusion of the first half, the Storm had turned the game around, heading to the locker rooms with a 16-12 lead.
Meanwhile, another engine room player for Canberra, seasoned prop Josh Papalii, made an early exit, limping off just a minute into the second half.
He was seen sitting on the bench with an ice pack applied to his calf.
More updates to follow.
Compiled by SportArena.au
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