Disgraced ex-AFL player agent Ricky Nixon at trade period negotiations

DISGRACED former player agent Ricky Nixon made a surprise appearance at Etihad Stadium this morning as clubs kicked off trade negotiations.

Ricky Nixon was a surprise attendee at AFL trade negotiations today. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

DISGRACED former player agent Ricky Nixon made a surprise appearance at Etihad Stadium this morning as clubs kicked off trade negotiations.

Nixon had his licence revoked in 2011 by the AFL Players Association accreditation board for breaching its standards of conduct, over his dealings with the teenage “St Kilda schoolgirl”, Kim Duthie.

AFL TRADES LIVE: ALL THE LATEST NEWS

GARY BUCKENARA: WHAT REALLY HAPPENS AT TRADE TIME

Ricky Nixon with his book, My Side. Picture: Ellen Smith

“St Kilda schoolgirl” Kim Duthie. Picture: Nicole Garmston

But today Nixon, who was managing 46 players before his ban, said he was only present at the start of the trade period to act as an “adviser” to any clubs or players who wanted his expertise.

“A few clubs are asking for a bit of advice on some deals and things,” Nixon told Trade Radio.

“I don’t want to go into it too much, but it’s the first time I’ve got back involved in this sort of area for six years.

“I’m not representing any players, but a number of players have sought advice. Those players are seeking 25 years of experience.”

The “schoolgirl” scandal erupted after nude photos of several St Kilda stars were published in 2010 by Ms Duthie after she accessed them on a player’s computer.

It was then revealed that Nixon, who was managing St Kilda’s Nick Riewoldt at the time, had what he described as “inappropriate dealings” with her in the months after the photos were published.

FOOTY’S BIGGEST SCANDALS OF THE CENTURY

The AFLPA found in 2011 that Nixon breached its regulations by:

• Entering into an inappropriate personal relationship with a young person who had been in conflict with players the Player Agent acts for;

• Acting in a manner contrary to the interests of players for whom he acts; and

• Misrepresenting to players for whom he acts the nature of the relationship he had with this young person.

It followed an investigation by lawyer David Galbally, QC, who conducted interviews and examined video of Nixon allegedly taken by the girl in a Melbourne hotel room.

The pair fought a courtroom battle over Nixon’s tell-all autobiography in 2015, with a Supreme Court judge ruling he could publish My Side despite Ms Duthie’s bid to have several chapters removed.