Fremantle has delisted second-year player Josh Simpson.

The 20-year-old, who was Fremantle’s pick 17 in the 2012 National Draft, has been on a club-ordered paid leave of absence since June this year to complete a personal development program.

The program was structured to address both personal and professional matters Simpson faced outside of football, and included guidelines and protocols that he was required to strictly adhere to.

The leave of absence followed incidents in January and April when the club sanctioned Simpson – including fining him an undisclosed sum each time - for not meeting club requirements.

The personal development program was overseen by the club and involved the AFL Players’ Association, Simpson’s management and external counsellors and experts.

General manager of football operations Chris Bond said Simpson was advised today of the club’s decision to delist him.

“As we do with all players on our list, we have provided Josh with significant support and resources, including a personal development program which was carefully put together to assist him in dealing with personal and professional matters he faced away from football,” Bond said.

“The personal development program included guidelines and protocols that Josh was required to strictly adhere to. Unfortunately, Josh was not able to consistently fulfil those requirements since undertaking the program in June.

“Josh’s inability to consistently fulfil those requirements and, over a period of time, achieve the personal and professional levels required by the club to succeed as a player at the elite level, has resulted in the very difficult decision to delist him.

“Although Josh has been formally delisted, the club will continue to work with him and his management to provide appropriate levels of support and assistance into 2015.”