He’s been an AFL player for almost 24 hours now, but it still hasn’t sunk in for 22-year-old Josh Corbett.
On Monday Corbett became one of two mature players alongside Chris Burgess to sign with the SUNS as part of the Special Assistance provided by the AFL Commission.
It was the phone call Corbett had begun to think might never come.
“It’s pretty surreal to be honest,” he told SUNS TV.
“It was definitely a great feeling and I’m sort of still pinching myself.
“Obviously it’s a childhood dream for every young boy and I’m just absolutely stoked and so grateful to the Gold Coast SUNS for giving me the opportunity.”
The strong-marking tall forward comes from VFL club Werribee and played nine games this season before a freakish eye injury derailed his season.
Before the injury struck, he was one of the VFL’s most impressive forwards in the competition, kicking 22 goals and averaging 7.6 marks per game.
His form pricked the interest of several AFL clubs, including the SUNS who were quick to make contact and invite the 22-year-old to the Gold Coast.
“I was lucky enough to get a tour of the facilities a couple of months ago and was just super impressed with everything, it was amazing,” Corbett said.
“I met Stuey and had a good chat with him - he was fantastic, just a good community person and I really enjoyed what he’s about.
“I met Touk Miller and had a chat to him about it all and the direction of the Gold Coast SUNS, it seems very exciting for the future.”
With the eye injury and previous ongoing bouts of glandular fever now behind him, Corbett is hoping hard work in developing his skillset can be rewarded with the opportunity to make his AFL debut.
“I probably like to think I’m more of a typical centre half-forward in between the arcs and then can impact the scoresheet if needed,” Corbett said.
“I like to think that my marking and my endurance is also something else that I can bring to the SUNS and continual contests and making a contest for those around me.
“Goalkicking is something else I like to pride myself on, I’ve worked pretty hard on that as well and like to think that’s another strength of my game.”
It was those strengths that put him on the radar of AFL recruiters in the first place and also saw him take out the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the most promising young talent in the VFL.
He joins a lengthy list of past winners, who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the AFL, including Bayley Fritsch (2017), Luke Ryan (2016), Nic Newman (2015) and Kane Lambert (2013).
“I was very honoured and humbled to receive that, obviously playing limited games I was a bit surprised but it was great being awarded it by Bayley Fritsch who is now obviously on an AFL list,” he said.
“Looking through previous winners like Michael Barlow and Robin Nahas and people like that it definitely shows that people have gone on to make careers in the AFL.
“(I’m) not saying it’s guaranteed but obviously it’s nice to be recognised for (what) I think (was) a relatively consistent year for the time that I did play.”
Despite his impressive CV and obvious talent, Corbett knows he’ll be starting off behind the pack and will need to prove himself if he is to take the next step forward in his burgeoning career.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of hard work involved but I’m confident with my ability as a footballer and in my communication.
I think I would be a good asset to the AFL community and particularly the Gold Coast SUNS.
“I enjoy working hard and working towards a common goal and I think that seems to be a common theme throughout the Gold Coast staff and players.
“I can’t wait to get up there and meet more of the boys and get into it all.”
