STRENGTHS: Acceleration, run and carry, football IQ, readymade player, work ethic
IMPROVEMENTS: Strength, one-on-one contests, tackling, kicking consistency

Nick Hind is a mature ager who has gone from the local leagues of Ballarat, to dominating off the half-back line at Essendon VFL. The 24 year-old plumber started his career out at Clunes, a small town near Ballarat in Central Victoria, before moving to East Point and being spotted by now-Essendon coach Dan Jordan. Jordan’s faith in Hind was repaid, and Hind established himself as one of the VFL’s premier running defenders. Hind was named in the VFL interleague team but just missed the final cut and was an emergency on the day. Top five in both the 10-metre and 20-metre sprints at the state combine proves what many know about Hind - he is quick. His trademark burst of pace off the half-back line was highlighted in the VFL finals when he broke the lines before neatly delivering the ball to James Stewart who kicked truly after the siren. Hind also finished equal sixth in the JJ Liston trophy which gave a great indication to the quality 2018 of his season.