Josh Corbett

Fringe Sun Josh Corbett reportedly gaining rival interest: AFL trade news

The Victorian native remains unsigned for next season.

Published by
Mitch Keating

Fringe Gold Coast forward Josh Corbett is the latest name looped into the AFL rumour mill, with rival interest arising for the 26-year-old.

Corbett is off-contract at the Suns and has found it difficult to break into Stuart Dew's lineup this year given the arrival and form of key-forward duo Mabior Chol and Levi Casbouolt.

Despite booting 23 goals from just 16 games in 2021, Corbett has been placed on the periphery to be held to just the four AFL appearances in 2022, while Chol and Casboult combined for 79 goals.

First-string forward Ben King is set to return from a season-ending knee injury, placing Corbett's place in the pecking order even further back for next season.

The Werribee product hasn't struggled to press his case this year however, booting 30 goals from 10 games in the VFL, including a 4-goal haul to lead his side over the line in their elimination final against Box Hill on Sunday.

With his future up in the year, Corbett is gaining interest from rival clubs, according to SEN's Sam Edmund.

Josh Corbett up at the Gold Coast Suns, attracting some real interest," Edmund told SEN's Whateley.

“He’s had a very interested club watching him in the VFL. Now last week this club I’m told went up to watch him in the VFL, he took 17 marks, he kicked 4.4 and he had 25 possessions.

“The Suns are saying we’ve got a few familiar types, you’re welcome to look around at your options, you might get squeezed out with their list getting peeled back a bit.

“We’ll see what happens with Josh Corbett, who might be a bargain pick-up for a club.”

Corbett is among a bevy of Suns players still yet to recommit for 2023 despite their season reaching its conclusion.

Casboult is likely to earn new deal after rekindling his career in Queensland, while young forward Izak Rankine has requested a move to Adelaide.

Darcy MacPherson, Chris Burgess, Rhys Nicholls, Oleg Markov and Charlie Constable are also currently out of contract.

Corbett has played 36 games for the Suns since making his debut in 2019, joining Gold Coast the year prior as a special assistance state league priority access signing on a four-year deal after claiming the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the VFL's most promising young player.

Published by
Mitch Keating