The Saints drafted the former East Point and Clunes speedster with selection 54 in the national draft on Friday.

The 24-year-old’s move into the AFL comes after a stellar year in the VFL under the guidance of East Point great Dan Jordan at Essendon, where he was deputy vice-captain.

With a shoulder injury limiting his opportunities with the North Ballarat Rebels in the TAC Cup under-18s, Hind played his early senior football with Clunes in the Central Highlands Football League before having time at East Point alongside Jordan in 2013.

He spent the next two years at Clunes before going back to East Point in a move which lay the foundation for an AFL career.

His quickly caught the eye with his pace at East Point, earning selection in the BFL representative side.

Despite being injured in an AFL Victoria Community Championship appearance, Hind did enough to be added to Essendon’s VFL list while playing out the year with East Point. Hind adopted Keilor as his home club last year.

Jordan told the Essendon website leading up to the state combine – Hind’s second – that his selection for the try-out was a credit to the work he had put in on the track to broaden his game.

“Obviously, his speed and his run and carry are his main weapons. He’s a really diligent worker in terms of bringing good attributes that are attractive to recruiters, which obviously caught their eye this year,” Jordan said.

“He’s worked bloody hard. He’s now in his third year with us and he’s come a long way from a small defender to work his way into the midfield.

“He can play inside and outside and give some really good speed away from stoppages,” he said.

Hind was one of two players with Ballarat Football League links drafted.

Darley’s Brrett Bewley landed with Fremantle with pick 59 via Williamstown in the VFL.

He played one game with Darley this year.

Bewley was the second Darley product drafted.

Zak Butters from Western Jets was drafted by Port Adelaide with selection 12 on Thursday night.