'I'm grateful': Exiled Knight vows to make amends after breaking his silence on Newcastle deal

The Advertiser

5 hours ago

JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL.
Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight.
Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence.
"I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it.
"I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there."
On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble.
There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players.
Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall.
"The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said.
"I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation.
"Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too.
"I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself."
The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season.
The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers.
A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option.
But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia.
"Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said.
"I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment.
"People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line.
"I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever.
"I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights."
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Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters.
"I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them.
"I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it."
Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles.
"I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries.
"The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that."
Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb.
"I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard.
"When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL.
Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight.
Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence.
"I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it.
"I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there."
On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble.
There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players.
Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall.
"The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said.
"I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation.
"Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too.
"I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself."
The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season.
The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers.
A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option.
But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia.
"Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said.
"I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment.
"People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line.
"I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever.
"I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights."
MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters.
"I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them.
"I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it."
Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles.
"I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries.
"The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that."
Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb.
"I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard.
"When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL.
Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight.
Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence.
"I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it.
"I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there."
On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble.
There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players.
Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall.
"The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said.
"I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation.
"Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too.
"I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself."
The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season.
The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers.
A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option.
But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia.
"Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said.
"I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment.
"People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line.
"I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever.
"I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights."
MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters.
"I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them.
"I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it."
Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles.
"I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries.
"The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that."
Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb.
"I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard.
"When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."JACKSON Hastings hopes his future is in NRL.
Right now, the off contract playmaker is focused purely on Newcastle and doing whatever he can to help kickstart the Knights' push for the top eight.
Hastings ended a 329-day absence from the top grade with a solid shift in the Knights' controversial 12-8 defeat to the Roosters in front on 24,849 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
Covering for break-out star Fletcher Sharpe (calf) at five-eighth, Hastings steered the Knights around the park, threatened with his running game and was industrious in defence.
"I almost got my jersey embroidered. It felt like a debut again," Hastings said after his first game in the NRL since July 20, 2024. "I'm just grateful to be back and a part of it.
"I got to play [NRL] in front of my eight-week-old daughter, Scottie, for the first time. That meant more to me than just getting back out there."
On a contract worth $750,000 a season, Hastings has dropped down the pecking order behind Sharpe, Jack Cogger and Tyson Gamble.
There were suggestions that the 29-year-old had fallen out of favour with senior players.
Hastings admitted it looked 'pretty bleak at times' but the pivot 'didn't lose hope' of a recall.
"The coach always said if an opportunity came, I would get a chance," Hastings said.
"I'm pretty confident in my own abilities. It was a matter of time and when I fitted into the equation.
"Fletcher Sharpe has ben arguably our best player and Coggs and Tyson Gamble have done a good job when they have been in the seven [jumper] too.
"I had to apply my trade in NSW Cup, have a good attitude. I don't think anyone can question my effort back in cup, how I have been training, how I have applied myself."
The Knights have made it clear that Hastings is not part of their plans for next season.
The 29-year-old has previously played in the NRL for the Roosters, Manly and Wests Tigers.
A return to the English Super League, where in 2019 he won the coverted Man of Steel awarded to the best player in the competition, is an option.
But Hastings' prefererence is to stay in Australia.
"Of course, I am hopeful of being in the NRL," Hastings said.
"I will let my manager take care of that. I just want to play good footy. I'm not too worried about that at the moment.
"People need to realise how much I love playing for Newcastle. Whether I'm here or not [next season], I love putting this jersey on. Every time I go out there, it is never going to be perfect but I put my heart on the line.
"I'm not looking past trying to make the top eight here. Where I fit into the team? I don't care. If I have to play in the middle, the edge ... whatever.
"I'm soley focused on playing for the Knights."
MORE NEWCASTLE SPORT
Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Hastings was among a number of players who stepped up against the Roosters.
"I'm going to be hard pressed to pick a bad one," he said. "I'm proud of all of them.
"I thought Jacko kept us in the game. It had been a long time for him. He was another one that we told during the week 'you're in' and he grabbed it."
Hastings ran 110 metres, broke three tackles, produced one offload, kicked the ball 334 metres and completed 26 tackles.
"I like playing off the ball," Hastings said. "The narrative with me is that I am an on-ball halfback and I don't take the line on. When I play my best, I play a little bit wider off the ball. I'm a pretty big body. I like taking on back-rowers. I was unlucky not to score a couple of tries.
"The message was to take the game on and defend well. I thought I did that."
Sharpe has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to be recalled at five-eighth for the clash against the Dolphins in Perth on Saturday. Gamble is also on track to return from a broken thumb.
"I want to play first grade as much as I can," Hastings said. "The boys who are playing in front of me are doing a great job. I just have to bide my time and keep working hard.
"When I get a chance, go out there and play my best. I can do a job in most positions. Wherever they need me I will play."