Josh Simpson will return to training at Fremantle next week after being sanctioned by the club for his decision to belatedly withdraw from the travelling party of 23 to play Sydney at the SCG last Saturday.

In addition to being fined an undisclosed sum for not meeting club requirements, Simpson will, until further notice, only be available to be selected for Peel and not Fremantle.

“Josh is away from the club at our direction at present and will remain so until next Tuesday,” general manager of football operations Chris Bond said today.

“He is able to return to training at that time and be available to be selected to play for Peel from next weekend.

“Under the terms of his contract and the AFL’s player Contract Bargaining Agreement, Josh will also be fined an undisclosed sum for the second time in four months for not meeting club requirements.”

Bond said the club had not put a time frame on when Simpson would be available for senior selection.

“That will be determined by his ability to demonstrate the behaviour required of a player at this club for a sustained period of time,” Bond said.

“We will continue to provide every resource necessary to ensure that Josh continues to develop both personally and professionally, so he is best placed to meet the challenges he faces in becoming an elite player in the AFL.”

Statement from Josh Simpson and his manager