Raiders star Corey Horsburgh is set to leave Canberra at the end of the season with his “frayed” relationship with coach Ricky Stuart set to spark an early exit from the club.

Stuart singled out Horsburgh in his post-match press conference on Sunday after a brainfade from the prop led to his sin binning during the Raiders’ heartbreaking loss to Newcastle.

The defeat ended Canberra’s finals hopes.

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“It was a f***ing brain explosion and (we) lost the opportunity,” Stuart fumed over Horsburgh’s shove to the face of Knights veteran Dane Gagai.

NRL360 host Braith Anasta, who played under Stuart at the Roosters, was shocked that his former coach singled out one of his players.

“I was expecting Ricky was going to blow up about the sin bin but instead it was (directed) at Corey … You don’t see that often,” Anasta said on Monday night.

Horsburgh is under contract with Canberra until the end of next season but reportedly desires to return home to Queensland.

Canberra are understood to be willing to let him leave, dependant on whether any club who picks up Horsburgh takes on his 2027 contract.

Code Sports reporter Brent Read revealed Stuart and Horsburgh have a “tempestuous relationship”.

‘F***ing brain explosion’ Ricky rips in | 04:02

The pair famously didn’t speak for several months in 2024 when Horsburgh was dropped to reserve grade.

“They’re at a point now where Corey is going to leave at the end of the year as their relationship has frayed so much and this has just highlighted it,” Read said on NRL360.

“It’s been a rollercoaster for them and they’ve reached the end of the journey.”

“They’ve had a butting of the heads relationship, probably because they’re very similar,” CODE Sports colleague Dean Ritchie added.

“Ricky was angry, passionate and he’s entitled to pick out a player.

“If you go back and listen to all of Ricky’s press conferences, 98% of them he defends his players but obviously he’s had a gutful. They’ve just been eliminated from the finals race.”

Brisbane Broncos have been linked to Horsburgh but salary cap constraints are likely to hamper any move, according to Read.

Corey Horsburgh and Ricky Stuart in happier times.Source: Getty Images

The Perth Bears are also monitoring the situation, although their level of interest will depend on whether Junior Paulo ends up signing with the expansion side.

“Corey doesn’t want to be there. He wants to be in Queensland and essentially, the Raiders don’t want him there either so it’s best if they both part company,” Read said.

“He’s a chance of going to Perth. It depends what happens with Junior Paulo.

“He’d love to go to the Broncos but I’m not sure they have the money to fit him in.

If that can’t happen though, Perth is looking at him. If Junior Paulo goes to the Bears though, it (Horsburgh to Perth) probably won’t happen.”