“It was probably eight weeks out from the end of the season and I was feeling like I wasn’t going to be offered another deal because I hadn’t been playing after being there for two and a half years,” Hine told kangaroos.com.au.
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“I hadn’t had much of a go and wasn’t doing enough in the seconds to deserve a game anyway.”
He sought advice and answers on his next move.
“It was me asking Bluey (Guy McKenna) and a few of the other coaches what the future held for me, where I was at and what I needed to do to get a game. I asked and they said ‘there’s probably not a lot you can do’, I think they felt like it was a bit late for me.
“Being away from home for three years or so, it sort of felt like time to come back as I was missing my family a fair bit. My girlfriend was with me and missing her family as well. That was sort of one factor.
“Also, as good as the Suns were to me, I wasn’t performing as well as I wanted to and looked like I wasn’t going to get another contract.”
Instead of being dejected and letting the outcome of those blunt and direct conversations get the better of him, Hine actually began to hit his straps and started to perform to the level he knew he was capable of.
“Lucky enough, after that point I played a few good games in the seconds, I don’t know if it was relief or knowing that I had nothing to lose, but I managed to squeeze in for an AFL game and North was the opponent in my first game in the season just gone.
“I played most of the game on Patch (Leigh Adams) and Boof (Lindsay Thomas) as well…a few of the other guys have been giving it to them because I got drafted here.”
Now that he’s a Kangaroo, Hine says he’s relieved Adams and Thomas won’t be able to seek retribution…well almost.
“That’s the good thing…but maybe at training they might try and run through me now or something,” he joked.
“That was after about 12-months of not playing and I went okay in that game.”
In fact he went so well, North’s recruiters couldn’t help but show their interest and Gold Coast reversed their initial decision to delist him, instead offering him a new contract.
He went on the play eight of the last ten games at AFL level and averaged just under 15 possessions.
“It was a weird situation and no one ever wants to hear that they’re going to be delisted from a club, especially when it’s been the one thing you’ve always wanted to do…but I had a brilliant time up there on the Gold Coast and everyone was really great.”
Despite being given the chance to stay, Hine had already made up his mind.
“After I did tell them that I had an opportunity down South and that I could get to North Melbourne, they were really excited for me. The club’s been awesome and although it didn’t work out in the trade period, they’re really happy for me. It wasn’t great that I had to wait until the Draft but I got here in the end and I’m really excited about everything.”
Hine says Draft night was relatively easy for him with North detailing their plans to him beforehand.
“North was the only team that showed genuine interest in me and they told me what pick they planned to take me with so it all worked out and I wasn’t really worried at all.
“I guess it’s a new start now and I want to make a bit of a mark. Hopefully I can get a game early on and play some AFL for North Melbourne.”
And he has no intentions of playing like he needs to prove anything to his former club.
“I don’t know if that’s just not me, but I’m just stoked to be here and don’t feel a need to show them they were wrong or anything.
“But I do want to prove something to North though and repay Brady Rawlings and Brad Scott for having faith in me and picking me.”
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