Nixon set to star in AFL scouting documentary
The Oz Factor tells the story of Nixon’s quest to entice the brightest young talent in GAA to a full-time professional sports career in the AFL. From an initial list of 80, Nixon trawls through the best young Gaelic footballers in Ireland to see who can make it as a professional in Australia and in the process stirs up plenty of controversy amongst GAA followers.
Nixon was followed in his quest for over a year and in the series also features Tyrone manager Mickey Harte, who has been a noted critic of Nixon’s plans. In the first episode, Nixon arrives in Ireland with representatives of AFL clubs to set up recruitment trials. He faces the media to answer questions about his practices while his chosen group of GAA players are brought to a training camp in Castlebar and put through their paces to see if they have what it takes to be selected for trials in Australia.
Meanwhile, the former president of Setanta O hAilpín’s AFL club has been banned from setting foot on the premises over his comments regarding alleged ‘hush money’ payments to women over sexual misconduct by players during his term as leader.
John Elliott was speaking at a charity function when he alleged that at least four women had been paid by Carlton not to pursue rape charges against some of its players in the 1980s and 90s.
Elliott was president for 20 years from 1982 to 2002, his term ending with his removal after the Blues were found to have breached the salary cup and were hit with substantial fines as a result.
This makes the controversial businessman indirectly responsible for Carlton’s foray into the Irish market. Elliott is no longer welcome however, with current president Stephen Kernahan saying that he had disgraced Carlton and slurred everyone connected with the club. “As far as we are aware there is no basis to John’s allegations, so why he made them only he can say,” he said.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
