Former AFL agent Ricky Nixon unable to fund his defence

Disgraced former AFL agent Ricky Nixon is in financial straits and unable to fund his defence to assault charges.

Controversial AFL identity Ricky Nixon is in financial straits and is unable to fund his defence to assault charges, a court has heard.

Mr Nixon’s dire financial situation played out in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday where his lawyers won a fight to delay a contested hearing for five months to enable the former high-flying sport agent time to rally legal funds.

Outside court, Mr Nixon did not explain why he is broke, instead telling reporters: “I’ve got something really important (to say) and I hope you take this on board … go Saints”.

The 60-year-old is charged with assault and endangering the safety of a man by throwing a “missile” at him in Port Melbourne on March 10 last year.

The ex-agent claims the incident – which involved him allegedly launching an Australia Post parcel at his victim – was an act of self-defence.

Following a previous hearing it is alleged Mr Nixon kneed the senior constable who charged him with the postage assault.

Controversial AFL identity Ricky Nixon leaving the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Police are continuing to investigate the incident.

On Friday his lawyers successfully fought for a five month stay on Mr Nixon’s two-day contested hearing that was due to start in early September.

The court heard he did not have enough money to fund his legal defence and that he also did not want police prosecutors to be given an affidavit outlining his financial circumstances.

Magistrate Rohan Lawrence agreed to delay his self-defence hearing to February 8 to avoid “real injustice” against Nixon.

“Nixon is unable to put his lawyers into funds. I am satisfied that he is currently not in a position to fund representation in September and it would be a real injustice to make an order for a person facing criminal charges to be self-represented,” Mr Lawrence said.

Ricky Nixon has been charged with assault following an incident in Port Melbourne last year. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Ricky Nixon and his partner Melissa Huynh. Picture: Supplied

The order was opposed by prosecution who said Mr Nixon would have known he was unable to fund a legal defence long before filing for an adjournment.

“He is the one that’s slept on this … no one else,” the prosecutor said.

The development comes barely a month after Nixon celebrated his 60th birthday with a lavish party at the Pier Hotel in Port Melbourne.

The bash was in competition with ex-AFL star Warwick Capper after the pair fell out over plans for a joint party.

Mr Nixon was once the most powerful player agent in the AFL through the 1990s into the 2000s, representing the game’s top talent before he was spectacularly brought down.

He remains under investigation over allegedly fraudulent signed footballs sold to fans for $575 plus $20 postage, following the 2021 Grand Final.

“The investigation remains ongoing,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.