AFL news 2022: Nick Hind ignores Essendon coach Ben Rutten, video, what happened, disrespect, will Rutten be sacked

Vision of Essendon defender Nick Hind blanking under-fire coach Ben Rutten during the middle of a game has been revealed, adding to suggestions the players have “checked out”.

Port Adelaide champion Kane Cornes showed the clip from the Bombers’ win over North Melbourne two weeks ago, which showed Hind returning to the bench in the fourth quarter and appearing to disrespect his coach.

Hind had just given away a free kick for dissent which resulted in a Kangaroos goal, looking frustrated as he walked off the ground.

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In the clip, he attempts to find a seat on the bench where he doesn’t have to sit next to the coach, before Rutten beckons him to sit next to him and Hind does so.

Hind then completely ignores Rutten as the coach tries to get his attention, looking away.

Seconds later Hind is shown again looking in the opposite direction as Rutten gives him directions.

Nick Hind appears to ignore Ben Rutten on the bench during Essendon’s win over North Melbourne.Source: FOX SPORTS

It comes with Rutten seemingly on the brink of an exit from the club with new president Dave Barham keen to land Alastair Clarkson at Essendon before North Melbourne does.

“You ask whether the players have checked out – this is Round 20. I’m not sure I’ve seen vision of a player treating a coach like this,” Cornes said on Nine’s Footy Classified.

“He doesn’t want to sit next to Ben Rutten, Rutten says no sit here.

“He’s trying to give him some feedback, some positive reinforcement, and the disengagement of Nick Hind on the interchange bench here – he can’t even look at him here.

“The players have clearly checked out and their on-field actions are displaying that.”

Veteran journalist Caroline Wilson called the vision “extraordinary”.