CTF Tradie of the Month: Subiaco defender Marlin Corbett

Subiaco’s Marlin Corbett moved across the country to continue his footy journey and to resume a career in carpentry.

Corbett has been nominated as the Construction Training Fund “Tradie of the Month”, with the Lions midfielder detailing how he combines footy with work duties.

“AFL has always been the dream, so that’s where most of my focus was,” Corbett said.

“After I finished school, I was still really committed to footy, but I needed something on the side to pay the bills.

“One of my best mates was doing his carpentry apprenticeship with his Dad’s company and suggested I come work with them, that’s pretty much how I got started in carpentry.

“I’m building houses around the Subiaco area with a small residential building company called Cumbrae Construction, and I’ve been with them since I moved over here from Queensland,’ he said.

“My boss is a big footy fan, which definitely helps.

“He’s been really supportive when it comes to training and games, whether that’s giving me time off or letting me leave early when I need to.”

Corbett admits footy season makes for a hectic schedule, but he believes he has found the right work-life balance.

“Footy definitely takes up a fair chunk of the week, but we’ve got a great group at Subiaco, and I love footy so I wouldn’t want it any differently,” Corbett said.

“I’ve found a good routine that helps balance everything, and having a good workplace makes a big difference and it keeps me busy.”

Corbett has spent time in three states chasing his footy goals.

“I grew up in Northern NSW and have been playing footy for as long as I can remember,” he said.

“I played a fair bit of my junior footy there, but it was a pretty small competition, so after finishing school I ended up moving into the Queensland league and then progressing through the Gold Coast Suns Academy which meant a lot of travel for my parents.

“Having missed out on the draft I felt like I needed a change, so at the end of the 2023 season I made the move over to Subiaco and I’ve loved being at the club ever since.”

Corbett is convinced returning coach Jarrad Schofield has had a huge impact on the playing group this year.

“I think personally I had a bit of a slow start, but I feel myself and the team are starting to build into it,” he said.

“Jarrad’s come in with a wealth of knowledge, so it’s been great playing under him and learning from that.

“As a group, we’ve had a few games where we haven’t quite played the way we wanted and it’s cost us, but in other matches we’ve shown glimpses of what we’re capable of and that’s really exciting moving forward.”

Averaging 20 disposals a game this season, Corbett has embraced a role change.

“I started the year at half back but with a few injuries and other circumstances a position opened up in the midfield, so I’ve been working on my midfield game playing more inside and I’ve been really enjoying it,” he said.