Josh Simpson set to plead his case in front of Fremantle Dockers officials

JOSH Simpson is set to plead with Fremantle to keep his AFL dream alive when he meets club officials this week.

Josh Simpson will meet with Fremantle officials this week. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Image

JOSH Simpson is set to plead with Fremantle to keep his AFL dream alive when he meets club officials this week.

The Sunday Times understands Simpson will tell the Dockers that he is committed to his football career and has no intention of quitting.

Simpson, his manager Jason Dover and key Dockers’ staff are likely to meet on Monday or Tuesday following Thursday’s airport fiasco where he failed to appear to fly to Sydney with the team.

The AFL Players’ Association is also likely to become more involved mediating between Simpson and the Dockers.

Simpson, the Dockers’ top pick in the 2012 national draft, is dealing with complex personal and family issues in his remote hometown of Yalgoo. It is believed the pacy wingman-forward almost returned to Yalgoo this weekend.

The 20-year-old, dropped after playing in last Sunday’s win over Essendon, had been required to fly to Sydney as the travelling emergency.

It is believed Simpson will cite personal issues, not disappointment at being dropped, for his failure to travel.

In Yalgoo, 18 months ago, Simpson told The Sunday Times that city life was so different to his home community that he had to become a different person.

“Once I go back to Perth or wherever, you switch and you’re living that life. You come back here, and you switch again. Both sides are a lot different,” he said.

“Sometimes our fridges aren’t even really that full of food. They’re just making it through the week, low on money and that, so being drafted would be good.’’

Simpson was shocked that former Western Bulldog Zephaniah Skinner had become the latest in a long line of young Aboriginal players to prematurely quit the AFL. to return home, and he vowed to have a 10-year career.

“I don’t know what’s going through their mind sometimes,’’ he said.

“A lot of players want that opportunity, and they just let it walk out the door.’’

After Simpson’s energetic substitute cameo against the Bombers last Sunday, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said: “Everyone dreams of playing AFL footy, but then the harsh realities kick in of the day-to-day commitment.

“Josh has come to grips with that and is working through it ... and he got picked on merit.”