AFL identity Ricky Nixon lodges police complaint while fighting assault charges

Ricky Nixon is facing assault charges for allegedly throwing an Aussie Post package at a man. But the former player manager wants a court stay until police deal with his complaint.

Ricky Nixon lodged a complaint against police. Picture: James Ross

Disgraced AFL identity Ricky Nixon has lodged a complaint with police as he contests allegations he threw an Australia Post package at a man.

The former player manager, 59, is facing charges of unlawful assault and throwing a “missile” – namely a mail package – to the danger of another person in Port Melbourne last year.

Mr Nixon did not appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, instead represented by his lawyer, who said her client had made a formal complaint to Victoria Police’s conduct unit.

The lawyer said Mr Nixon would contest the allegations and asked for the case to be adjourned until after an internal police investigation had been finalised.

No details of the alleged incident were aired in court, but Mr Nixon’s lawyer said the issue of self-defence would be raised.

According to court documents, the alleged incident took place on March 10, 2022.

The fallen football identity turned health salesman was charged by Victoria Police’s specialised public order response later that year.

The hearing was briefly stood down while Mr Nixon’s lawyer sought instructions over a media application for court documents.

When the hearing resumed, the lawyer said Mr Nixon would seek a suppression order prohibiting reporting on the case.

But magistrate Belinda Franjic said she was not “prepared to entertain it” because no notice had been given.

The case will return to Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a contest mention on May 9.

Mr Nixon’s latest court appearance comes after he made headlines last year over an ugly confrontation outside his Port Melbourne home with A Current Affair reporter Seb Costello.

Mr Nixon was captured on camera knocking Mr Costello in the jaw while the reporter followed up a Herald Sun story about doctors criticising Mr Nixon for spruiking intravenous infusion treatments.

Mr Nixon was at the time running a mobile “ambulance” service offering on-the-spot health checks.

Police investigated the incident but no charges were laid.

Mr Nixon became one of the most high-profile sports agents in Australia when he founded management company Flying Start.

He managed dozens of AFL stars including Wayne Carey, Gary Ablett Senior and Nick Riewoldt.