Former AFL player Billy Nicholls sentenced to 11 years jail

Former Victorian AFL player Billy Nicholls has been sentenced to 11 years jail for the shooting of two men.

He will serve a non-parole period of eight years.

The 34-year-old was found guilty last month over the separate incidents in 2012 and 2013.

His victims were both shot in the leg and recovered after surgery.

The defence had argued he was merely a "stooge" for others in the Geelong drug scene.

Nicholls played for Hawthorn and Richmond but his career was plagued by injuries.