For those few of who aren’t aware, Jackson Hastings is the son of Kevin “Horrie’ Hastings, a rugby league legend.
It’s unclear why Jackson seems to rub his teammates up the wrong way – however, it’s certainly not a trait he picked up from his father.
The much-loved Hastings Senior was a popular member of the highly competitive Rooster sides of the 80’s. Some say he’s the most talented player to not be selected for the national side.
Although he must have come close, winning the Dally M Halfback Of The Year for three years in a row from 1980-82. He was also voted Rugby League Week magazine’s Player Of The Year during the same three-year period.
He played one grand final in 1980, losing to the tenacious Canterbury Bulldogs and also played one State Of Origin, coming off the bench as a utility player in 1983.
Time will tell if Jackson can match the representative feats of his old man, although you wouldn’t put money on it. That’s not to say he doesn’t have the skills – his short kicking game is one of the best in the league when he’s given the chance to demonstrate it.
He has an accurate long passing game, a decent step and he’s a fighter in defence. Not to mention that he has the organisational skills that a modern halfback requires.
Throughout his teen years, the younger Hastings looked to be set for a stellar career, having represented the Junior Kangaroos in 2015 and previously the NSW Blues under-20s team.
The big question is whether he has the personality to gain the respect and support of his fellow players on and off the field. He was let go from the Roosters after claims of arrogance and disrespect towards the leadership group.
And we’re now hearing a similar story playing out at the Manly Sea Eagles. Currently, Jackson is playing in the lower leagues.
Looking at multi-generational players, it’s hard to find an offspring that has matched the success of their famous father. You could argue that the Morris twins have equalled the deeds of dad Stevie, but who else?
We had Eric Grothe Jr who played representative level, but never reached the consistency levels required of a champion. Maybe another halfback, Nathan Cleary, will out-perform his dad, but only time and injuries will tell.
Rugby League has a forgiving culture, so maybe one day Jackson will be given the opportunity to redeem himself and live up to his potential. One thing’s for sure, he won’t be giving up on his dream to continue the Hastings legacy.
michael
Guest
if a young player has the moving potential then of course he has the right to express agreeingly or disagreeable to the senior players group....There lays the problem and that is players group lording and not showing leadership for a young buck to follow....he has a right as long as he meets all his status on the park....all minds have a view worth hearing and the club gives only authority to the coach....not your peers
Pickett
Guest
Thank you. The Holy Quadrinity.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
True John H. Brett Mullins is a great story for the Raiders and the Roosters.
ret
Guest
No love for Ron Coote?
Pickett
Guest
Jackson Hastings does have blue blood. His dad is royalty at Easts. Big Artie, Freddy and Horrie would be the Holy Trinity of post war Roosters.
John H
Guest
Brett Mullins matched the feats of his father, Bill. And wouldn't you say that Brett Morris matched the feats of his father, Slippery?
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
The Storm could be a good option - Bellamy has a knack of mentoring players and turning them into champs.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Thanks for your comments Paul - not sure Hastings has the right temperament to bide his time in lower grades.
peeko
Guest
royalty is a bit of a stretch. he was a good player but not an all time great or close to the hall of fame.
JD
Guest
I mean Bellamy needs a good halfback
Forty Twenty
Guest
DCE one of our top players last time we won a title and the 5/8 was Foran who thrived playing outside him. The last GF Manly played in DCE won the Clive Churchill medal. He's got a good half back. A talented 22 year old who has been shown the door by three decent teams has been the problem not the coach or the halfback.
JD
Guest
Bellamy would be the best coach for him. And he needs a good halfback.
Forty Twenty
Guest
As a player my main gripe with him was that I never saw him take on the line but this year I was seeing some signs that this could change and was thinking he would be a valuable player for the eagles as they took out another title. The alarm clock went off and he is back playing for Blacktown and Manly have decided to play like the Eels.
kk
Guest
Danny Weidler reports in the SMH that Kevin left the family when Jackson was five. In a AAP piece on the ROAR Jackson has stated" he is learning more about himself" As a long time fan of Jackson I would like to see him under the wing of Wayne Bennett. I love the way Jackson reads a game. Wayne could turn that talent to be one of his success stories and points on the board for the Broncos.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The 1980 Bulldogs were known as the entertainers....they were tenacious as well but that probably wasn’t their defining characteristic. What does it take for Jackson to realise his potential? Being sacked hasn’t led to him pulling his head in. In a lot of areas of life and particularly in footy, respect must be given to the older and more senior players. A young bloke coming in like he owns the joint has never gone down well, even in park football. Most young players coming through manage this ok but Hastings seems incapable at the moment. It would be a shame if he never realised his potential because he’s too big a d-head.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Jay Kevin was a great footballer but he was like a lot of great players - born at the wrong time. He had to contend with Tommy Raudonikis then a couple of okay players in Peter Sterling and Steve Mortimer. He should have played for Australia, but it's hard to put forward a case when you're see as number 3 in the pecking order for NSW. Jackson obviously has issues and the NRL is only forgiving if they think they can genuinely turn a player around and that player is worth the investment. His problem is three very strong Clubs, the Dragons, Roosters and Sea Eagles, all of whom are very good at nurturing players, have let him go, essentially saying "this guys not worth the effort". He needs some serious mentoring and a few seasons eating humble pie in other grades of football to show Clubs he's worth considering. He want's to do this pretty soon though, because there's lots of less talented but more disciplined players happy to take his NRL place.