Nettelbeck was signed by Sydney in 1989, from the Leeton Football Club in the New South Wales Riverina and would be used by the Swans both as a full-back and forward.
[2] Drafted by Fremantle, Nettelbeck moved to Western Australia in 1995 and took part in Fremantle's first official fixture, an Ansett Cup match against St Kilda.
He was unable however to make an appearance for Fremantle in the AFL and spent the season in the West Australian Football League with East Perth,[3] playing nine games and kicking 19 goals.
[2][4] He was troubled by a shoulder injury in 1997 and played only reserves football in 1998.
[5] Nettelbeck attempted to join his fourth club, the Western Bulldogs, in 1999 but was badly injured during a pre-season intra-club match.