Essendon has welcomed Nick Hind from St Kilda two years after he was plucked from the VFL Bombers, securing the speedster along with pick No.77 in exchange for picks 67 and 74.

The 26-year-old played 21 games for the Saints in two seasons after being recruited with pick No.54 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.

A gun VFL half-back who played two-and-a-half seasons with the VFL Bombers, he made his mark at the Saints as a small forward but was facing a significant challenge to earn selection in 2021.

Hind shapes as a speedy forward-line replacement for the departing Orazio Fantasia, who was traded to Port Adelaide.

The Bombers have also lost quick pair Adam Saad and Conor McKenna, meaning Hind could be used at half-back if needed.  

Out of contract with the Saints, Hind kicked six goals in 10 games in 2020 but was dropped on the eve of the finals.

General manager of list and recruiting Adrian Dodoro said Hind will add pace to the Bombers' list.

"Nick Hind is one of those guys who’s going to add a lot of speed to our team," he said.

"When he played in our VFL team, we actually wanted to pick him up in the draft that year (however), the Saints got him just before us.

"We like him across half back as a running defender and losing 'Saady' (Adam Saad), we wanted to get some speed into the team.

"He’ll play that role and speaking to 'Truck' (senior coach Ben Rutten), he’s earmarked him for that role, and we think he’ll be able to really assist our forward transition."

- with afl.com.au

This news is brought to you by Orchard HRO, the club's official recruitment and list management partner.

Essendon's draft selections at end of trade period: 6, 7, 8, 44, 77, 85, 87