Forbes played a total of 30 games for Coburg over three seasons (1926–1928), and was part of the 1927 premiership team.
He stepped aside to allow Jack Baggott to captain/coach in 1936 and part of 1937, serving as the team's vice-captain.
[5][6][7] Having served the remaining four weeks of his 1939 suspension, Forbes played four senior games with Fitzroy in 1940.
[8][9] Forbes was reported for attempting to kick Leo Ryan during the round 12 match against Footscray on 28 July 1934;[10] and, following the VFL Tribunal's hearing on 31 July 1934, Forbes was suspended for four weeks.
Forbes was inducted into the Essendon Football Club's Hall of Fame in 2011.