Corbett, a centreman, came originally from Ballarat team Golden Point and was already 24 by the time he made his VFL debut in 1920.

[1][2] He was a constant fixture in the Melbourne side during the 1920s and a regular interstate representative.

[3] Just before half time in the 1926 Preliminary Final, Corbett was struck in the face and knocked to the ground by Essendon player Charlie May.

Despite returning to the field later in the game, he missed out on playing in Melbourne's premiership win the following week, diagnosed with a broken jaw.

[4] A side result of this incident was the eventual introduction of a reserve that could replace injured players.