Exiled Knight poised to get nrl lifeline

The Advertiser

9 hours ago

JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end.
Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season.
On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce.
"For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month.
Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights.
However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped.
He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong.
In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres.
Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth.
However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly.
Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17.
Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury.
Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League.
O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026.
"The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said.
The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues.
Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup.
His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover.
Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights.
The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home.
They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder.
Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game.
Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough.
"I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up.
"And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances."
But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response.
And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season.
"Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night.
"To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised.
"I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology.
"There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed."
JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end.
Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season.
On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce.
"For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month.
Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights.
However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped.
He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong.
In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres.
Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth.
However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly.
Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17.
Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury.
Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League.
O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026.
"The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said.
The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues.
Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup.
His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover.
Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights.
The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home.
They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder.
Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game.
Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough.
"I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up.
"And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances."
But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response.
And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season.
"Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night.
"To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised.
"I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology.
"There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed."
JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end.
Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season.
On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce.
"For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month.
Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights.
However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped.
He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong.
In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres.
Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth.
However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly.
Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17.
Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury.
Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League.
O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026.
"The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said.
The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues.
Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup.
His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover.
Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights.
The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home.
They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder.
Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game.
Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough.
"I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up.
"And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances."
But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response.
And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season.
"Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night.
"To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised.
"I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology.
"There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed."
JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end.
Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season.
On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce.
"For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month.
Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights.
However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped.
He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong.
In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres.
Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth.
However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly.
Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17.
Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury.
Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League.
O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026.
"The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said.
The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues.
Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup.
His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover.
Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights.
The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home.
They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder.
Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game.
Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough.
"I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up.
"And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances."
But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response.
And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season.
"Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night.
"To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised.
"I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology.
"There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed."