Football bad boy Corey Horsburgh discovers his fate after punching and headbutting his rival in a reserve-grade brawl that saw three players sent off.

Corey Horsburgh has been suspended for three games for headbutting and punching in a reserve game, further damaging the Canberra forward’s hopes of returning to the NRL.

Horsburgh’s brain-blow on Jacob Laban sparked a brawl during the Raiders’ 24-18 NSW Cup defeat on Saturday and led to him joining Warriors forwards Laban and Tom Ale in being sent off.

On Monday, Horsburgh was handed two separate charges of striking by the New South Wales Rugby League match review committee, one a grade one offence and the other a grade two offence for his headbutt and punch.

Horsburgh has accepted one- and two-game suspensions as early guilty pleas for their respective crimes.

It means that in a season already disrupted by injuries and suspensions, Horsburgh will not be available to play for the Raiders’ NRL side until their Round 21 match against South Sydney.

Horsburgh appeared to headbutt Laban as the Raiders attacked the Warriors’ line in the second half, then launched a flurry of punches at the fullback.

Referee Martin Jones believed Laban had also struck Horsburgh, although video replays cast doubt on that claim and Laban avoided punishment.

For his part in the altercation, Ale received a grade one hitting charge and can accept a one-match suspension after Jones accused him of kicking Horsburgh.

Ale has until Tuesday to make a plea and risks missing two games if he takes his case to the NSWRL judiciary.

Horsburgh, a State of Origin representative last year, has played for the Raiders’ NRL side just twice in 2024, with his most recent appearance coming in round five.

He missed the first three weeks of the season due to suspension before a groin injury sidelined him in early April.

The 26-year-old has been back in reserve since June 15 but has yet to find his feet in a top-flight side that has lacked attacking power and has lost four of its last five games.