Ricky Nixon:
Exclusive Talking Balls interview with Aussie Rules Agent Ricky Nixon – controversial bushranger or talent spotter and admirer of GAA Players. Make up your own mind. He’s not shy anyway…
TB: Ricky, thanks for agreeing to this interview with Talking Balls. Obviously you think Squareball is the best GAA fashion gear available. Just why is it so good?
RN: I guess because all the girls in Ireland stopped me and asked me where I got it and could they get a photo of me in it.
TB: There is a lot of media inches devoted to the International Rules series. Frankly Ricky, does anyone in Oz give a damn about the hybrid game or is it just an end of season jolly to blow off a bit of steam?
RN: The hybrid game was much more popular last time around rather than this time……I suspect the reasons for this is that the really big superstars of the AFL didn’t play and also a lot of people were a bit annoyed at the debate over the physical side of the game last time.
TB: The over-physical approach of the Australians in the last couple of series has had a detrimental effect on Irish Australian relations from this side of the world. Do you think we are bigger whingers than the Poms; just the same or not as bad?
RN: It was definitely seen as whinging however I think people here need to understand that Gaelic Football does not have tackling.
TB: What was it about Graham Geraghty do you think that led to one of your players feeling the need to bounce his head of the Croke Park surface? Would you agree that was a bit excessive?
RN: Maybe he had one of those heads ha ha.
TB: At any time watching the recent series have you thought ‘Hang on there mate, this is a bit suss. I’d rather be out rustlin’ kangaroos’ or whatever it is you Aussie fellas do in your spare time?
Ricky in his playing days: permed, tanned and ready to rumble
RN: To be honest I didn’t have a great interest in the series at all.
TB: How much do you think the winning margin would be if the compromise game was played with an Aussie Rules football as it was once back in the mists of time.
RN: Probably at least 100 points. The games seem to always go the same……early in the game the Aussie struggle with the round ball then as they adapt the game gets closer.
TB: Anyone who watched the BBC documentary on Marty Clarke, as you guys call him, can only have been impressed by the scientific approach of the game there and the attention to detail. Is this a recent phenomenon or has it always been that professional?
RN: I think that our game is probably the most advanced game in the world in respect to the scientific approach……it probably needs to be because it is such a physical game and you need to be so fit to play.
TB: For any young lads out there, if they are serious about making it down under. What skills should they work on? Physically what size do you need to be? How will they get discovered?
RN: The key is for them to build up their endurance and start to practice kicking an Australian Rules ball if they can get hold of one.
TB: Looking over the GAA scene at the minute, are there are players that you look at and think ‘Jeeze mate, if only i could have got him when he was a nipper’.
RN: Sean Cavanagh is a standout…..I think he would be a star over here.
TB: Dermot McNicholl is an old mate of yours from St Kilda days. He was famous here for two things – being a decent footballer and wearing very skimpy tight shorts. How did the ladies in Oz relate to the latter? What did you think of the former?
RN: He definitely could have been a star here if he had of come over at an earlier age and if he didn’t wear such tight shorts that he nearly strangled himself !!!!
TB: On the subject of ladies in Oz, all these young lads going over there to try their hand at Aussie Rules. Can they expect much interest from the local womenfolk? They will after all potentially be adding to the gene pool out there.
RN: The two boys already here – Conor Meredith and Niall McKeever took all of 3 minutes upon arrival to notice that the girls here wear a hell of a lot less than the girls in Ireland where the weather is decidedly different (ie colder)…..there is no doubt the Irish accent works well for the boys when they are chatting to the girls here.
TB: Obviously you must be fairly familiar with Ireland these days. Before we clamp a permanent exclusion order on you, what are the things you like best about Ireland. And least?
RN: I like the way the some of the managers over there rip in to me…..it makes me feel like I’m at home where the same happens……they obviously don’t know me well because the more they complain the harder I will go…..i love Ireland and the countryside and I actually like the miserable weather….the people are great and friendly and I am very surprised how much the “man in the street” knows about AFL. Lets just say that Ireland is the second best country in the world.
TB: Although Australia is a big place there’s only a few people live there. Did you ever meet the late Steve Irwin? What about Kylie Minogue?
RN: I never got to meet Steve Irwin and it was a real tragedy the way he died. Kylie I have met several times and she is not only a slashing girl but very friendly and of course very talented.
TB: Tyrone manager Mickey Harte is an opponent of the International Rule, to put it mildly. If you had Mickey round to dinner what would you talk to him about? Would you try to change his mind?
RN: Mickey Harte is a legend …….but I’m sure him and I would go the full 15 rounds if we went out for dinner…….the irony is I actually agree with him on a lot of what he says about the international rules…….I’m not a great supporter of it…..i would rather see AFL games played in Ireland or alternatively a full Irish team in the AFL……anyway ask Mickey if he’s got time for dinner…..my shout !!!!
TB: Going back to the physical thing, why do you think the players felt the need to resort to what Pat Spillane would call ‘Tuggery’. Can we offer counselling?
RN: Seriously the Irish particularly Spillane is seen as the worlds greatest whinger…….for god sake man….no one died……a few boys having a wrestle…..fit young men playing an aggressive competitive sport……get a life.
TB: The training camp you had in Mayo? What sort of stuff were the lads doing? Were you assessing them are or these already fellas that you will be recommending?
RN: We assessed them on Skills, Fitness and Psychologically then the clubs decided to invite 5 players out to Australia in November and they were Conor Meredith, Niall McKeever, Tommy Walsh, David Moran, James Kielt…..with Tomas McCann very unlucky not to get an invite but likely to next year.
TB: Do you get to watch many minor football matches/university matches/ college matches. Honestly do you think Irish players are in good physical nick or is it just OK given they are amateurs.
RN: I am more focused on the University matches than the Senior County games. We are watch 17-19 y.o. The single biggest attraction for the Clubs and myself is both Gaelic Football and AFL are starting to be played very similar……athletic run and carry the ball and good delivery.
TB: Just to really annoy the Powers That Be, what’s your opinion on pay for play. Should the GAA stop beatin’ about the bush and just pay the top players?
RN: Put it this way…..i hope they keep it amateur because the longer they do the more boys will come out to Australia because naturally a competitive athlete wants to see how good he can be and professional sport tests your limits.
TB: If there was no Ireland v Australia Series would you still be coming here?
RN: Absolutely!
TB: Finally Ricky. Will you be sending Nicky Brennan a Christmas card? What about Mickey Harte?
RN: Nicky Brennan was very decent and forthright with me and I respect the man. As for Mickey I might send him a beer for Xmas and some valium ……. What do you think ?
TB: Thanks for your time Rickey. Advance Australia Fair!
RN: Before I go don’t confuse the spelling of my name with Mickey Harte ie I’m Ricky not Rickey……..i would hate Mickey to deport me for pretending to look like him !!!!!!!!!!!!!! All the best.