Josh Corbett’s Inspirational Journey: From Darkness to Determination

Josh Corbett, a forward with Fremantle, has had many difficulties in his career. Most recently, he had to recuperate from a permanent hip replacement. Corbett’s journey, replete with challenges and tenacity, exemplifies his unshakeable resolve to play AFL football again.

Corbett had a total hip replacement in November 2023—a operation never before done for a comeback to the pinnacle of sport. In spite of this major setback, the 28-year-old has a track record of triumphing over hardship. After making an impression in the VFL, Corbett was selected somewhat late in the 22nd round. But his career took a sharp turn during a game when a wayward finger got into his eye, leaving him blind in one eye for a month. Due to this injury, he was unable to participate in the AFL for the remainder of the season.

On the Better Down Back Podcast, Corbett reminisced about this trying time. He described how he was forced to sequester himself in a dark room, avoiding light and screens, which was especially difficult for his outgoing personality. He persisted in the face of these obstacles, and in 2018 he joined Gold Coast’s list before being traded to Fremantle in 2022, demonstrating the success of his perseverance.

There were difficulties during his debut season with Fremantle; he played in just five games before opting to have a hip replacement. Corbett made light of the rarity of such a procedure for someone his age, but his hips had gotten so bad that he was unable to carry out his on-field responsibilities.