Bombers recruit Nick Hind says he’s been earmarked to go back to his roots ahead of the 2021 season.

The 26-year-old, who was drafted by St Kilda from Essendon’s VFL side in 2018, initially made a name for himself as a dashing half-back at state league level, before becoming a livewire forward with the Saints over the past two seasons.

After joining the Bombers in the trade period, Hind has been identified for a new yet familiar role in the club’s line-up. 

Following a conversation with incoming senior coach Ben Rutten, Hind said he can really add value to the team as a rebounding defender.

“(Rutten) sort of just spoke to me about playing half-back and I expressed to him how I really wanted to do that, and I’ve obviously played that position at VFL level,” Hind said. 

“I played two years as a forward at St Kilda, but I’m keen to take my game to another level at half-back. 

“I’ll definitely have to redefine it and it’ll take me a little bit to get up to speed, but I’ll be throwing myself into pre-season and I’m excited for that opportunity.”

As most red and black faithful would know, Hind is a familiar face at the NEC Hangar, having been a part of the club’s VFL program for two-and-a-half years.

Already holding a strong connection with a host of current Bombers players and coaches, Hind’s flickering desire to come back to the Bombers was stoked when Essendon approached him about a potential trade.

“Essendon sort of came to me and said there’s a chance they wanted me to come back and I’ve always thought about it a little bit,” Hind said.

“I said to the Saints that I would like to get back to Essendon and they we’re really good about it and they knew the reasons I wanted to get back here. 

“I haven’t been back here for two years, but I’m very excited and I can’t wait to get stuck into it with the boys.”

While Hind feels elated at the realisation he is once again a Bomber, he’s now firmly focused on ensuring a return to the club is met with on-field success. 

And one of the key things which excites Hind is the core list of young players which will drive Essendon forward in 2021 and beyond.

“(I’m excited about) the young leaders that we have,” Hind said.

“You’ve got ‘Langers’ (Kyle Langford), ‘Pidge’ (Andrew McGrath) and ‘Frang’ (Aaron Francis) and all of these younger guys that are coming through now. 

“There’s been a lot of change and Truck is coming into his first year, so I’m really excited about being able to build something with that group of younger guys and obviously a few of the older guys that are around too.”