Dashing defender Nick Hind has been an excellent acquisition for Essendon.
Hind, who was traded to the Bombers by St Kilda after playing 21 games in two seasons at Moorabbin, continued his superb season in Sunday’s win over Hawthorn.
The 26-year-old sizzled off half-back, kicking a sensational solo goal to go with 25 disposals, 10 intercepts, seven defensive rebounds, four inside 50s and 745 metres gained.
David King described St Kilda’s decision to trade Hind to Essendon as “the ultimate dagger” given the two clubs went with contrasting list strategies during the off-season.
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“St Kilda and Essendon have been the talking point all year about strategy. Two years ago, I would have thought they were like types,” King told SEN’s Whateley.
“If St Kilda’s strategy was in vogue at Essendon at the end of last year, they would have tried their hardest to keep (Joe) Daniher, they would have tried their hardest to keep (Orazio) Fantasia, they would have kept (Adam) Saad, and they would have paid overs and satisfied them all.
“(Adrian) Dodoro cuts the cord. Some players just weren’t engaging and they wanted to leave, that’s fine.
“A different strategy comes, they go back to the draft, get those three kids we talk about, and then go and get Hind back from St Kilda – this is the ultimate dagger.
“He is exactly what St Kilda need right now and he goes to a half-back flank for the Bombers. He was unbelievable yesterday.”
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St Kilda champion Leigh Montagna questioned why his former club used Hind as a forward and not in his preferred position off half-back.
“The first thing I thought when I was watching Nick Hind today (Sunday) was, ‘What were St Kilda thinking?’” Montagna told Fox Footy.
“How did they not see what this bloke was able to produce?
“They tried to use his speed as a forward, but he has been brilliant.”
Hind, 26, is averaging a career-high 23.4 disposals and a tick under four defensive rebounds this season.