If former AFL player-agent Ricky Nixon thought he’d be in the clear after today’s revelation that the schoolgirl at the heart of the affair had lied about their relationship, he needs to think again. The latest twist in the saga which just won’t go away has been met with widespread scepticism and with good reason.
There’s no doubt there has been a perception among the public that Nixon is guilty.
The latest twist has been met with suggestions of something strange going on behind the scenes, which just shows the degree of cynicism associated to this whole saga.
Nixon denies such goings on, naturally and vehemently, but public opinion won’t be swayed so easily.
This all comes about after the AFL Players’ Association (AFLPA) investigation into the scandal, led by senior QC David Galbally, found Nixon guilty of having had sex and done drugs with the 17-year-old.
And Nixon’s own actions since the story became public have been extremely evasive and suspicious, further fuelling the cynicism and scepticism about his legitimacy.
First there was his timely ‘business trip’ to Ireland not long after the story broke which enabled him to get out of the public eye and get his story together.
But then once back in Australia and given the chance to explain himself on Channel Seven’s Sunday program, which was by no means a timid interview, he completely failed in his attempts to reveal the ‘truth’.
The video footage of Nixon practically naked in a hotel room bed with the 17-year-old was extremely incriminating and this was his chance to explain himself. The story he provided – about not recalling the incident – had more holes in it than swiss cheese.
So now comes the revelation from the 17-year-old at the heart of the scandal that she was under the influence of drugs when giving her statement to the AFLPA investigation and had subsequently lied on the nature of her relationship with Nixon and his behaviour in that hotel room.
And all of a sudden, for the first time once in this whole saga, Nixon has got busy fast and spoken to a number of media outlets in the wake of the latest twist.
After all, this latest twist is favourable to him, so he needs to capitalise on it as he strives to restore his reputation. Nixon is already talking about legal action against the AFLPA, who he said didn’t even interview him during the investigation.
“I firmly have the AFLPA in my sights,” Nixon told Steve Price on MTR on Thursday morning. “This was an amateurish investigation at best.”
As ‘amateur’ as the investigation was in Nixon’s eyes, a pertinent point to remember is he had two weeks following the outcome of the inquiry to appeal.
He decided not to do so and you have to wonder if he sincerely felt the investigation had failed to find justice then surely that was his chance to explain the truth if he was innocent.
Now, following the 17-year-old’s revelation she had lied to the investigation, Nixon has a way out of this mess.
The AFLPA has said the investigation’s outcomes didn’t solely rely on the 17-year-old’s statement and that may or may not be true. However, from a public perspective, there’s a lot to arouse suspicion and scepticism in this whole case.
Nixon, during his busy morning talking to various radio and TV networks, told Triple M his lawyers said his case “looks very favourable” after this latest twist.
That may be so in a legal sense and he may have grounds to sue, but in the sense of restoring his reputation to be a player-agent/mentor once again, he’s got a long way to go to remove the scepticism and clear his name.
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Thanks.
Richard
Roar Guru
amazonfan: Try this link to see what it means to be "caught with your pants down"as they say. http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/nixon-scandal-first-came-the-lies-and-now-heres-the-photo-20110615-1g3ds.html?from=age_ft
amazonfan
Roar Guru
Of whom together?
Nick Bencorelli
Guest
anyone see the pic of them together today... unbelievable
Dingo
Guest
I cannot believe that professional sports people have allowed him to manage their careers. One can only assume that he has "guided" young footballers on how to conduct themselves in television interviews and with other important life decisions. Yet here he is, bumbling along like the fool that he apparently is, with seemingly no idea of how to conduct himself in an interview, when it is paramount for his own credibility to at the very least articulate what the ***k he was doing in his underpants with this troublemaker. The guy is a twit. He has always looked like some "B-grade" '70's porn star and now he has about as much credibility as one.
brendan
Guest
Y r on the money GoGws.The only thing i can add is with all that has been said and dione i am astonished someone hasn't been charged with something.
GoGWS
Roar Guru
Just look at how Nixon behaved - his behaviour gives him away even before Duthie went on the 7PM project....when this all broke the first thing Nixon did was jump on a flight to Ireland 'for business' hoping it'd all blow over while he was gone....and then when he came back to Australia he made himself unavailable to the AFLPA to give his version and then he failed to lodge an appeal - he claims he wasn't given time to come back with his appeal but in fact he had plenty of opportunity to appeal - given what was at stake (his business and his reputation) and given that he was innocent (according to him) then logic says he would have prioritised this and lodged the appeal.....he didn't.....Nixon's behaviour is not that of someone who is innocent - it's the behaviour of a guilty person caught in the headlights...someone who didn't know what to do....and all this is from someone who makes a living dealing with the media... an innocent man in this situation would have behaved differently.... now the dust has settled a bit Nixon decides to re-group and come forward with his 'explanation'...he's had months to rehearse his story and anticipate any questions, and to try out his explanations on his friends/family ....maybe those close to him are convinced by Nixon's story or maybe they're not convinced but will just let it slide....I don't think many people outside Nixon's immediate circle believe him..... Meeting up with Duthie was a mistake let alone anything else that went on....exchanging texts or phone messages with her was a mistake...nothing Nixon has said explains what on earth he was doing associating with Duthie..... Nixon infers that his drink was spiked but what was he doing having a drink with her?...why?... Apart from having an affair, Nixon's biggest blunder is all the lies that he's told.... he could have just said nothing to the media which is fair enough (arguably just a private matter between him & his wife, and maybe the AFLPA if he was to submit a defence).....or if he was going to say anything then just go with the truth....
Alfred Chan
Expert
When in doubt, ask what Jason Akermanis thinks!
ac
Guest
This is all too sad for words. Who would you believe?
brendan
Guest
That is the sex laws Nick.You go to Childrens Court till yr 18.
westie
Guest
Yes Brendan, I have a similar feeling about Geelong. More deserving of a premership than the incumbent mob and yes, I think when we win a flag it could come as something of a surprise. Now I am going!
westie
Guest
I've just realised something! Duthie strikes again and she has got exactly want she wants PUBLICITY. For that reason I am going turn my 'puter off.
brendan
Guest
All i can say Westie is i live near linton st and going home on the train after 09 my happiness was tinged with sadness for all you sainters.I wish we had beat Hawthorn and lost to you if we had to lose.I hope your loyalty to Stkilda is rewarded with a flag and hopefully it will come when you dont expect it as it did for us in 07.
Nick Bencorelli
Guest
isnt a child under 16? or is that the sex laws?
Nick Bencorelli
Guest
it was in the herald sun, something bout mentoring her. ludicrous
Nick Bencorelli
Guest
I laughed at him trying to smooth it over.... kinda like borat, "just jokes"... cmon mate, waddaya take us for? u cant take us for a ride, not after all these lies
dave
Guest
I don't get how Sam Newman got drawn into all of this? Anyone able to explain that one...
dave
Guest
fair point IMO
dave
Guest
its an excellent point Ben makes about Nixon doing all this radio yesterday and then appearing on The Footy Show on Thurday night. He's got on the front foot when he's seen his chance for vindication. Unfortunately for him its blown up in his face because the girl couldnt keep her mouth shut on the 7pm project. For a guy who wants to be left alone, hewas extremely busy in the media yesterday doing all that radio and the TV too.
westie
Guest
Thanks for your best wishes Brendan. Not surprisingly I suppose, my team is St Kilda! The only thing that I can say in the players defence is that some under-age girls can look very convincingly older if they need to.