Originally from Tasmanian Football League club Sandy Bay, Nichols was recruited by Geelong and made his senior VFL debut in 1982.
Nichols was unable to cement a position in Geelong's senior side and played mainly in Geelong's reserves side, including their 1982 reserves premiership, where he played centre half forward.
Nichols was released by Geelong at the end of the 1983 VFL season and recruited by Woodville after being recommended to the club by fellow Tasmanian footballer Darryl Sutton.
Playing at full-forward, Nichols won the Ken Farmer Medal for the completion's leading goal-kicker twice, with 103 goals in both 1986 and 1988.
Nichols represented Tasmania at the 1988 Adelaide Bicentennial Carnival, kicking six goals against the Northern Territory.