By Sebastian Tan in Canberra

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart insists there’s no bad blood between him and prop Corey Horsburgh, saying the forward hasn’t approached him about a move to a rival NRL club.

Horsburgh has been at the centre of a storm after the Raider made a brain-snap decision to slap Newcastle centre Dane Gagai in the club’s 30-24 loss to the Knights last Sunday.

It prompted an explosive press conference from Stuart, who called the strike a “f***king brain explosion” and said the forward’s choice had cost the Green Machine (9-12) their finals spot.

Horsburgh was then dropped for the Raiders’ clash against Cronulla on Saturday before rumours surfaced the forward was bound for the Perth Bears next season.

But Stuart, fronting the media for the first time since his post-match press conference, insisted Horsburgh hadn’t informed him of a move to the West Australian club.

“I keep hearing Perth, but I was talking to Corey yesterday and he hasn’t mentioned anything to me,” Stuart told reporters on Friday.

“He doesn’t need to. It’s personal and it’s just something that he’s got to work through.”

Stuart added he had several conversations with Horsburgh following the heated comments.

“I like Corey. There’s no one who could say that I dislike Corey because I don’t,” the coach said.

“I’ve worked with Corey for a long time. I can’t strongly enough say that there is no ill feeling from myself to Corey.

“You’d have to ask Corey about that from his point of view. But as I say, I’ve been comfortable talking to Corey this week and explaining the situation.”

Stuart admitted Horsburgh had a chance to play at Ocean Protect Stadium, but needed to rest.

The coach also didn’t rule him out of playing in Canberra’s clash against Brisbane next Friday.

Stuart is more focused on overcoming Cronulla on Saturday and will welcome back Savelio Tamale into the centres for the first time since he had a horror show under the high ball in round 17.

Canberra is also looking to make veteran prop Josh Papali’i’s third-last Raiders game a victorious one as Simi Sasagi drops out with a shoulder injury and Ata Mariota replaces Horsburgh.

The Sharks (13-7), who will need a win to boost their hopes of a top-four finish, are without representative forward Addin Fonua-Blake due to suspension and centre Jesse Ramien, who underwent pectoral surgery on Thursday.

KL Iro returns to the centres from concussion while Oregon Kaufusi replaces Fonua-Blake, while Siosifa Talakai earns a spot on the bench after a bicep injury.

News all day, every day at CityNewsQBN.com.au.