Three years after donning the Essendon jumper for the club's VFL side, former Clunes and East Point player Nick Hind is back in Bombers' colours and flourishing in his role at half-back.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 26-year-old enjoyed two-and-a-half seasons at VFL level with the Bombers before being drafted to St Kilda in the 2018 national draft.
READ MORE SPORT:
After two seasons with the Saints he's back at Essendon and has played every game so far in 2021.
Hind's in superb form, averaging 24 disposals, seven intercept possessions and 458.6 metres gained per outing in his usual position at half-back after a stint as a forward with the Saints.
"I guess I'm still building in getting comfortable in that role, but I've always thought I could contribute the way I have this year at AFL level in that position," Hind told The Courier.
"It is nice to be in a little bit of form, it'd just be nice to win a few more games, but I'm pleased to have played every game so far this year and be a part of that backline.
"I grew up playing half-back in local footy and then in Ballarat as well, majority of my footy in the VFL was half-back with a little bit of midfield.
"I'm forever grateful for the opportunity the Saints gave me. Forward was the best position for me at that time and where the opportunity was.
"It taught me a lot playing forward, but I think half-back is the position I'll continue to play and I like playing the most."
Although a trade that when first bought up as a possibility surprised him, Hind said it was a seamless move going back to Essendon once it was confirmed.
"I'm loving it. The transition was quite easy because I knew a lot of people originally from the VFL days and a few coaches and stuff," he said.
"Especially in the backline, a lot of the guys that I played VFL with back then are now playing in the AFL team.
"The timing was right there, guys like (Jayden) Laverde, (Aaron) Francis, (Jordan) Ridley, (Mason) Redman, there's four that I played a lot of VFL footy with, so that's made it a little bit easier.
"We're all pretty inexperienced but we're probably not showing it at the moment."
One of Hind's and the Bombers' better performances was the 24-point Anzac Day win over Collingwood in round six.
The speedster picked up 23 disposals, seven intercept possessions, five score involvements and 394 metres gained in a strong display.
"It was unbelievable," Hind said.
"You try and treat every game the same but that game definitely wasn't the same. It was an unbelievable atmosphere.
"I honestly couldn't feel my legs after the Last Post, it was pretty incredible. A few years ago it was probably something I never thought I'd experience, so it was very special."
With Essendon playing the twilight Sunday game, Hind will return to Clunes to watch his old side when it hosts Carngham-Linton.
"It'll be good, they've had a pretty good start to the year," he said.
"I'm just really excited to get back there, I haven't been back to a Clunes game in a very, very long time.
"That's my junior club and I love that footy club and hopefully going forward I can get back a little bit more and give back to them."
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.