Reigning GFNL runner-up South Barwon has tapped into a family link to sign former Fremantle and Gold Coast forward Josh Corbett.
Corbett, who played 41 games and kicked 36 goals in six seasons at the highest level, was unveiled by the Swans on social media this (Monday) afternoon as a playing assistant coach.
“Josh’s sister, Georgie, plays in our netball section, and she’s engaged to Sam James, so future brother-in-law,” coach Mark Neeld said.
“So that was the connection.
“We had a couple of conversations with Josh pre-Christmas, and then we followed that up last week.”
From North Warrnambool, the 28-year-old spent three years with Werribee, winning the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the most promising young talent in the VFL in 2018.
Corbett joined Gold Coast as a state league priority access player ahead of the 2019 season, playing 36 games and kicking 33 goals for the Suns.
He was traded to Fremantle at the end of 2022, playing five games and kicking three goals in his first season at the Dockers.
However, a hip injury suffered in October 2023 required hip surgery and kept him sidelined all of last year.
Corbett announced his AFL retirement in September.
“You would class him as a fitness fanatic, which will be great for our young and developing list to see someone go about their business in a professional manner,” Neeld said.
“Josh is recovering from hip surgery, and we will give him all the time in the world to make sure that he is 100% fit before he takes the field.
“He’s also going to join our coaching group, which we’re really pleased with.
“He brings to us modern AFL know-how… and we’re really looking forward to working with him.”
Corbett’s arrival will arguably give South Barwon the most potent forward line in the GFNL in 2024.
He’ll feature in a forward 50 alongside 2023 Mathieson medallists Matt Caldow and Fraser Fort, and the dynamic Jonty Broughton.
“He is clearly going to be, at times, playing in our forward line,” Neeld said.
“It’ll be interesting to see how that works out as there’s a couple of blokes that rate themselves as being able to mark the ball.
“We’ll see how that works; I’m sure Josh, at some stage, will appear through the midfield.
“It allows us potentially to use Fraser Fort, maybe higher up the ground.”
Corbett might not be the only former AFL player to join South. Neeld did not quash speculation that Collingwood premiership player Nathan Brown would appear at McDonald Reserve.
“At this stage, I’m happy to confirm I can’t rule Nathan out,” he said.
X: @krockfootball
