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'Can't get away with it': Caroline Wilson blasts 'tasteless' Ricky Nixon comments

Caroline Wilson, pictured here slamming Nicky Nixon over his comments.
Caroline Wilson has slammed Nicky Nixon. Image: Nine/Getty

Caroline Wilson has slammed Ricky Nixon for linking the death of commentator Clinton Grybas to his drug use.

Speaking on the Sacked podcast recently, Nixon said Grybas' death in 2008 sparked his decline into drug addiction and alcohol abuse.

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The former AFL star manager refuted the narrative that his substance abuse came about because of the infamous St Kilda schoolgirl scandal.

“It’s not an excuse,” he said. “But it changed my life forever. You can talk about hotel rooms and girls … that’s not what happened.”

However Wilson took exception to Nixon’s comments, saying his demise began well before the tragic death of Grybas.

“Ricky Nixon shouldn't normally rate a mention during the corona state of emergency, but I couldn't let him get away with this,” the journalist said on Footy Classified on Monday night.

“Not for one minute do I doubt your grief, your genuine grief over the tragic early death of Clinton Grybas and I know you said it was no excuse.

“But it was tasteless to link it and like so much of the tripe you said on what is a generally impressive podcast Sacked it wasn't the way it happened.

“Your downward spiral began long before 2008, you told me so yourself.”

Nixon was Grybas’ agent when the much-loved broadcaster was found in his Melbourne apartment.

“(After Grybas' death) I started drinking, I had never done drugs in my life. I started doing cocaine, and I got addicted,” Nixon said.

“I had got to a point where I was working seven days a week, 15 hour days. I wasn't watching my sons play footy. I was going to eight games of footy every weekend.

“I felt that I just didn't show (Grybas) the respect or management, I suppose.”

Clinton Grybas, pictured here with John Eales at the 2000 Australian Sports Awards.
Clinton Grybas with John Eales at the 2000 Australian Sports Awards. (Image: Tony Lewis/ALLSPORT)

AFL examines quarantine hub options

Meanwhile, AFL coronavirus cabinet member Eddie McGuire says the league is considering a plan to restart the 2020 season in four hubs based in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania.

The AFL, which reduced its regular season to 17 rounds on the eve of the opening match, has joined the growing trend of sports across the globe to consider extreme measures in uncertain times.

The competition is suspended at least until May 31 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One plan under AFL consideration is to have all 18 teams based in one quarantined location.

Another proposal, made public by Collingwood president McGuire on Triple M on Monday, would have six teams based in both Perth and Adelaide, and another three in both Hobart and Launceston.

The teams would stay in hotels and train at state league facilities, while playing matches in a round-robin format.

But McGuire's plan is entirely dependent on the states in question being given the green light to lift certain coronavirus restrictions before the likes of Victoria and New South Wales.

The AFL is in regular contact with the relevant government and health authorities as it monitors developments.

“That is something that is being seriously looked at and discussed and those three states in particular might just be able to get the season started a little earlier than we might otherwise,” McGuire said on Triple M on Monday.

with AAP