Retired Fremantle forward Josh Corbett has been signed by South Barwon in the Geelong Football Netball League, with the club utilising a family link to get him over the line.

Corbett, who played 41 games across six seasons spent at Gold Coast and the Dockers for a return of 36 goals, was unveiled as the Swans' newest recruit.

South Barwon coach Mark Neeld said the former AFL player would be a key addition to the club that finished runners-up in 2024, especially as an assistant coach.

"Josh's sister, Georgie, plays in our netball section, and she's engaged to Sam James, so future brother-in-law," Neeld said, according toย KRock 95.5.

"So that was the connection. He's also going to join our coaching group, which we're really pleased with.

"He is clearly going to be, at times, playing in our forward line. 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."

Neeld also didn't put a line through potentially signing former Collingwood premiership player Nathan Brown, saying "I'm happy to confirm I can't rule Nathan out".

Corbett began his AFL career at Gold Coast back in 2019 following a superb campaign for Werribee in the VFL the year before, claiming the Fothergill-Round-Mitchell Medal as the league's most promising player.

The Suns, who were granted special assistance state league priority access, locked away the forward, alongside Sam Collins and Chris Burgess.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 01: Josh Corbett of the Suns is congratulated by team mates after kicking a goal during the round seven AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Gold Coast Suns at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 01, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Corbett played 36 games and kicked 33 goals for the Queensland club, including a career-best 16 matches in 2021.

However, the end of his four-year contract saw the Suns offer the-then 26-year-old up for a trade, with the Dockers swooping with a future fourth-round selection.

Corbett remained in Western Australia for two years, unfortunately battling persistent injuries that limited him to five outings in the purple haze.

As a result, he announced his retirement at the end of 2024.

"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."