A hard running forward pocket rover, Nicholls played for Williamstown in the Victorian Football League (VFL) throughout 2006 and was retained for season 2007. He made his AFL debut in Round 2 of the 2007 season, but did not play another game in the AFL. Whilst on the Collingwood list he suffered a stress fracture to his foot that caused him to miss most of the season.[1] He has since continued to play in the VFL, switching to play for the Casey Scorpions in 2010.[2]