Tigers recruit Jackson Hastings has made an instant impact at his new club after a turbulent first spell in the NRL.
The 26-year-old showed real promise for the Roosters in 2014 before eventually moving to the Sea Eagles in 2017.
Hastings then departed Manly amid rumours of a falling out with Daly Cherry-Evans, travelling abroad to compete in the English Super League.
He quickly hit his stride taking home the Man of Steel award, given to the competition’s best player, in 2019 before spending two more seasons at Wigan.
Hastings has been welcomed back to Sydney with open arms, signing a two-year deal with the Tigers and impressing on debut in a trial against his former club.
During his spell overseas, the gun playmaker had time to reflect and returned with a renewed focus in his bid to cement his place as an NRL footballer without off-field issues.
“He did (look good), he did, I wasn’t sure what to expect with Jackson, he has probably developed as a person while he has been in the English Super League,” NRL legend Greg Alexander said.
“He left Manly under a bit of a cloud, there seemed to be problems over there, obviously watching Jackson play in the trial against the Roosters he is someone that can run a team so they have options in the halves.
“I was wondering how Douehi, Brooks, Jock Madden, Jackson Hastings was all going to fit under the puzzle and Jackson offers the Tigers some options as to whether he plays in the six or seven and I think he can handle both quite well.
“I think the English Super League has done him a world of good, he has probably grown up a fair bit and realised what it takes to be part of a team and where your focus needs to be.
“Jackson has seemingly learnt that over there and wants to make it in the NRL and I know it is only a trial game but his time back in the NRL is off to a good start.”
Balmain Tigers legend Paul Sironen spoke highly of his club’s new recruit, having more insight into Hastings’ former career troubles than most with son Curtis playing alongside the half.
“I watched bits and pieces of Jackson, he was at Manly with my son Curtis, they did some good things there for a couple of seasons, but one thing led to another and he left and went overseas and had a really good stint at Salford the Wigan,” Sironen said.
“But he looked really good the other night, it was an 80 minute trial, but things look positive, he is a good size, he is a 100 kilogram player so he is a good size half.
Key to the Tigers success this season will be Luke Brooks.
The 27-year-old halfback is deadly on his day and excels at heads-up football, an area Sironen believes will only be strengthened by Hastings presence.
“Brooksy’s (Luke Brooks) running game has always been good but Jackson’s presence in the halves may give Brooksy a chance to do a bit more running,” Sironen said.
“There is a core of good young kids there, we need a couple of hard heads to put their hands up and lead them around and the addition of Papali’I and Api (Koroisau) will be good.”
Legendary Tiger, Benny Elias believes that Hastings could deliver for his new club in the big moments, something that has been lacking for Michael Maguire’s team.
“I have seen him play obviously last week and I thought he was very impressive, he is certainly a leader and he has got a culture of winning,” Elias said.
“He has been in big games over there and very influential is those big games which we seriously need here (Tigers), we are looking for leaders and he is the one out of the box at the moment.”
Former Rabbitohs star and NRL great Greg Inglis also spent time in the Super League in 2021, getting the chance to watch Hastings in action.
From what he saw, he was impressed.
“When he was overseas he did tremendous things, played his own game, his natural game and they allowed him to be him and that’s what fitted his style and fitted him as a person,” Inglis said.
“Now coming back here, I know it is only a trial match, but seeing what he did coming back from England he has matured as a player.”
Wests Tigers Podcast - Talking everything Wests Tigers!
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Yeah, you can see it by the amount of people who tipped for player of the year lol
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
Im convinced journo's are just trolling Tigers fans now when they add the "Tigers Legend" to Ben Elias
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
What about the expectations of a fanbase that is tired of waiting for success?
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
What about the expectations of a fanbase that is tired of waiting for success?
Hastings took Salford from the perennial bottom of the ladder to the Grand Final.
Salford are a foundation club, who have been around for 150 years, and haven't won a trophy since 76.
They had finished bottom 2 the year before.
They went from crowds of 5,000 to being sold out.
All off the back of Hastings
Top 8 2023
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
What about the expectations of a fanbase that is tired of waiting for success?
Hastings took Salford from the perennial bottom of the ladder to the Grand Final.
Salford are a foundation club, who have been around for 150 years, and haven't won a trophy since 76.
They had finished bottom 2 the year before.
They went from crowds of 5,000 to bring sold out.
i wonder if he was being talked up at Salford the way he has been here, I'm included myself in this, the entire Pod team tipped him as Player of the Year last night.
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Im convinced journo's are just trolling Tigers fans now when they add the "Tigers Legend" to Ben Elias
Good stuff 5150 hahaaahaaa
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
What about the expectations of a fanbase that is tired of waiting for success?
The fan base will have to be patient,as you’ve stated yourself,even though enduring a decade long finals drought.So are you questioning his ability to stand up to their expectations?
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
What about the expectations of a fanbase that is tired of waiting for success?
The fan base will have to be patient,as you’ve stated yourself,even though enduring a decade long finals drought.So are you questioning his ability to stand up to their expectations?
Not really, more having a go at all of us who almost see him as the messiah lol
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
What about the expectations of a fanbase that is tired of waiting for success?
The fan base will have to be patient,as you’ve stated yourself,even though enduring a decade long finals drought.So are you questioning his ability to stand up to their expectations?
Not really, more having a go at all of us who almost see him as the messiah lol
He’s not the messiah. He’s just a very naughty boy 👍
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
What about the expectations of a fanbase that is tired of waiting for success?
The fan base will have to be patient,as you’ve stated yourself,even though enduring a decade long finals drought.So are you questioning his ability to stand up to their expectations?
Not really, more having a go at all of us who almost see him as the messiah lol
He’s not the messiah. He’s just a very naughty boy 👍
lol
In memory of Geoff Chisholm (1965-2022)
Pressure is building on Jackson. Poor bloke. Journalists that salivate at the thought of sticking it to the Tigers and a success starved fan base begging for a saviour. Hope he’s made of tough stuff 🤞
Jacko will handle everything and more that is directed at him,on and off the field.He’s been around long enough to know the NRL lay of the land.That includes the low blows and poisoned pens of the gutter media and the Clickocracy.
A few years ago might’ve been different.Go Jacko!
What about the expectations of a fanbase that is tired of waiting for success?
The fan base will have to be patient,as you’ve stated yourself,even though enduring a decade long finals drought.So are you questioning his ability to stand up to their expectations?
Not really, more having a go at all of us who almost see him as the messiah lol
He’s not the messiah. He’s just a very naughty boy 👍
Well he was in Gladstone ...he helped put us on the map lol
