The Perth Bears have secured Queensland Origin front-rower Corey Horsburgh on a three-year deal, with the enforcer the latest key acquisition as the club builds a fearsome forward pack for its 2027 debut season.
The 28-year-old has played 132 first-grade games for the Canberra Raiders, establishing himself as one of the competition’s most physical middle forwards.
Known for his relentless work rate and no-nonsense approach, “Big Red” has ranked among the top props in the NRL for the 2026 season – averaging 116 metres, 12 hit-ups and 36 tackles per game.
The Caboolture product was part of the Maroons’ victorious 2023 Origin team and, after a stellar 2025 season, made his senior international debut with the Prime Minister’s XIII late last year.
He also brings more grand final experience to the Bears, having played in the 2019 decider between the Raiders and the Sydney Roosters.
His signing further strengthens the Bears’ forward pack, joining fellow Raider Morgan Smithies in the move west.
Bears Head Coach Mal Meninga said Horsburgh was “exactly the kind of forward we want building the foundations of this club”.
“He’s got the aggression, the work-rate and the Origin pedigree we’ve been targeting, and he slots straight into a pack that’s already taking real shape,” Meninga said.
“This isn’t just about signing good individual players — we’re building a genuine forward unit, and Corey adds another layer of physicality to that.
“He sets a tone through the middle that opposition teams won’t enjoy dealing with, and I think our fans are going to love watching him lead the way up front.
“We want HBF Park to be a fortress, and forwards like Corey are exactly how you build that.
“I’m really pleased to have him join us in Western Australia. I will be the first to give Corey a big ‘Bear hug’ when he arrives and welcome him to our growing Perth family.”
Horsburgh said the move to Perth came at the right time of his career and he was thrilled to help build the Bears into an NRL force from day one.
“This is a decision I’m very excited about. The chance to be part of something from the ground up doesn’t come around often, and I want to be one of the players who helps build this club into something special from day one,” he said.
“Having Mal as Head Coach was a big factor in this decision. He’s an Immortal and a Queensland and Raiders legend, so getting the chance to learn from someone with his knowledge of the game and what it takes to win will be awesome.
“Playing under a coach like Mal, who’s done it all in this game, gives me a lot of confidence in where this club is heading.”
General Manager of Football Gareth Holmes said Horsburgh’s signing demonstrates the Bears are a destination club for top-tier players.
“Landing a player of Corey’s calibre at this stage of our build is a huge statement for this club. It says a lot about the club’s potential,” he said.
“Beyond what he brings on the field, his experience and his standards are exactly what our younger forwards coming through need to be exposed to early in their careers.”
