Essendon’s Nick Hind honours slain cousin

As Essendon substitute Nick Hind helped the Bombers to a big win over the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Friday night, he wore a black armband and a wristband inscribed with the name of his cousin, Hannah McGuire, who was allegedly murdered near Ballarat a week ago.

Hind is the same age as McGuire, 23, and their families are close. The McGuire family bought the National Hotel in Clunes, 35 kilometres north of Ballarat, from Hind’s father last Christmas. McGuire was well known, and helped her mother, Debbie, and father, Glenn, run the National. The Hind family returned to open and run the hotel this week as the McGuires mourned.

“We’re very close. Her parents took over the pub from my dad. He had it for years,” Hind said after the match. “It’s a very small community. They’re very tight-knit. I’ve known Hannah for a very long time.

“Small community town, pretty challenging week for the family and the people of Clunes. She was just 23 years old,” Hind said.

McGuire’s body was found in a burnt-out car near Ballarat, and her former partner, Lachlan Young, 21, has been charged and remains in custody.

“It was quite a tough week for me and my family, so it was pleasing to be out there with my teammates and get the win,” Hind said.

“I want to put my arms around my family as much as I can and support them as much as I can. They all love the Bombers and hopefully I put a bit of a smile on their faces tonight.”

According to research group Counting Dead Women Australia, McGuire is the 18th woman allegedly killed in violent incidents so far this year. The group’s data, which includes the few deaths caused by other women, shows 64 women were killed in incidents of violence last year.