'Bloody disgraceful': Fans divided over NRL forward's controversial gesture
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart refused to be drawn into questioning on firebrand Corey Horsburgh after a crazy reaction to a tackle from Ryan Matterson during their golden point loss to the Parramatta Eels.
Horsburgh took exception to a tackle from Matterson during the clash after the Raiders forward injured when hiit around the knees as he was wrapped up in the collision.
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A scuffle immediately ensued, but a struggling Horsburgh went back down in pain.
The potential Maroons ace was then ushered from the field as he became emotional due to the potential injury.
But with pain etched across Horsburgh’s face, the forward then lashed out at fans as he flipped the bird to a section of the small crowd.
However, fans were divided over the incident.
Some social media users slammed Horsburgh for lashing out like he did.
While others called out the heckling from the crowd as ‘bloody disgraceful’ because he was clearly injured.
Corey Horsburgh giving the cardboard cutouts the one finger salute wins the week in rugby league so far #NRLEelsRaiders
— Dane Wheeler (@DaneWheeler) June 27, 2020
#NRLEelsRaiders I feel sorry for young Corey Horsburgh who came off, speedy recovery Mate, to the fans heckling a young fella when he is coming off carrying an injury shame on you, that’s bloody disgraceful.
— Shane Moran (@scoolm8) June 27, 2020
What on earth happened with Corey Horsburgh ? He had tears in his eyes then wanted to go someone in the crowd. #NRLEelsRaiders
— Angie ❣️ (@InfinityTimesMe) June 27, 2020
If Corey Horsburgh gets fined for giving the finger to the Parra fans that’s a disgrace #NRL #NRLEelsRaiders
— 𝐃𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰𝐬 (@DylanMatthews91) June 27, 2020
Pretty disgusting from @TheParraEels fans at Bankwest Stadium to boo Corey Horsburgh who limps off with what seems like a serious injury. Low stuff. #NRLEelsRaiders #PARRAdise #WeAreRaiders
— On The Ball (@OnTheBallPodd) June 27, 2020
Raiders fan through and through and I think Horsburgh was targeted tonight but his display didn’t do him any favours. He could be a great player but he’s too irrational and hot headed. Lacks discipline
— Beverley Parratt (@BevP63) June 27, 2020
The #Raiders player Horsburgh giving some back to the #Eels fans booing him 🖕🏻🖕🏻 @NRL pic.twitter.com/vDPl9dht3y
— Scotty G (@ScottyG____) June 27, 2020
Way to misread the whole situation Shane.
Injury was accidental, Horsbruh took it personal then threw a punch at Matterson.
Matterson reacted as he should.
Horsbruh then sticks the finger up to the crowd.
He deserved to be booed off.— RichitiGrub (@WSWanderingEels) June 27, 2020
Roach praises Horsburgh’s toughness
Despite the incident, former Balmain great Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach praised Horsburgh for his tough approach against a strong Eels outfit.
“I’ve got to give a rap to Horsburgh he copped it early in the game, and he got up and said righto, let’s go,” Roach said on Fox Sports.
“You would except this kind of game when sixth are playing third. its been a brutal affair in the first half.”
Parramatta could be forced to call on forgotten playmaker Jai Field for the foreseeable future following a suspected calf injury to star Mitchell Moses.
The Eels overcame the first-half loss of their halfback, as well as a late comeback from Canberra, to claim a golden-point thriller on Saturday night.
With AAP
