Nixon and officials from the Brisbane Lions, Geelong, North Melbourne, Richmond and St Kilda flew out to Dublin on Friday afternoon.
After their arrival they will watch an All-Ireland second semi-final before heading west to Castlebar for a two-day simulated draft camp featuring more than 20 of the country's best young Gaelic footballers.
There, Nixon thinks AFL clubs on the cusp of finals action are more likely to go hard in the pursuit of international talent.
"At this stage I think that St Kilda, Richmond and possibly Brisbane – who have already got a couple of Irish players – but certainly Richmond and St Kilda will probably take one or two players at this time," Nixon said.
"The Kangaroos are probably a bit like Geelong. They can take it all in the next 12 months and get their head around it and see how it goes."
Earlier this week Cats' recruiting manager Stephen Wells said Geelong would be open to the idea of the reigning premiers trying to entice a talented youngster back to Skilled Stadium but hinted his club was using the trip for more of 'look and see'.
Nixon believes the trip will be a learning experience for all clubs. He says while none can go expecting to find the "next Nick Riewoldt", it will give them a better understanding of the potential fruits that lie across the other side of the globe.
"It's a bit of an eye-opener for them," Nixon said.
"Look, some of the clubs probably won't take any players in the short term because they've got lists that they're happy with.
"But at least it gives them an introduction to Ireland and how the system works and the types of players and all that, which I think is a good idea to be honest."
Nixon also gave Essendon – a club not involved in next week's activities – a backhander on his way out of the country.
The high-profile manager said the Bombers, who this week announced that Irish pair Michael Quinn and Ian Ryan had been training with them, might want to re-think their approach to Irish talent.
"Essendon were quoted in the paper this week saying they weren't interested in using our system because they didn't want to compete with other clubs," Nixon said.
"[Well] one of the kids who's actually out here trialling with them is coming to our camp anyway and the other one didn't make the top 80. It suggests they'd want to have a look at their recruiting system."
While the Bombers might feel they have the front running to lure the pair to Australia, Nixon said Ryan would be at next week's camp and therefore under the eyes of at least five other clubs.
Nixon said Quinn hadn't made an initial squad of 80 deemed good enough to be considered for the camp at Castlebar on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Who'll be in Ireland?
Brisbane Lions – football manager Graeme Allan
Geelong – recruiter Luke Williams
North Melbourne – recruiter Cameron Joyce
Richmond – strategy and list manager Craig Cameron
St Kilda – chief executive Archie Fraser
