Why Jackson Hastings fell out with the senior players at the Sydney Roosters

IN his first interview since signing with the Manly Sea Eagles last week, Jackson Hastings has opened up about why he had to leave the Roosters.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA — MARCH 17: Jackson Hastings of the Roosters runs the ball during the round three NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Sydney Roosters at 1300SMILES Stadium on March 17, 2016 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

JACKSON Hastings admits a lack of respect cost him his career at the Sydney Roosters, revealing he fell out with senior players in a mistake that had him considering quitting rugby league.

In his first interview since signing with the Manly Sea Eagles last week, Hastings opened up about why he had to leave the Roosters to link with his childhood mentor Trent Barrett.

“I rubbed a lot up the wrong way early on at the Roosters,’’ Hastings said.

“And that was hard to fix. I was 17 when I went there and I didn’t earn the respect of the older boys. And I regret that.

“It was all my wrongdoing. None of theirs. It was my fault and I have to cop the consequences.’’

Hastings was nearly left out in the cold.

Hastings, a playmaking prodigy hailing from the Illawarra, considered walking away from rugby league after being told he would spend the season playing for Wyong in the NSW Cup.

“I did have doubts,’’ Hastings said. “I had to asked myself why I was still doing this. But the guys at Wyong were quite inspiring. They reminded me what footy is about.

“They all turned up with a smile on their face and enjoyed what they were doing. I took a bit of a leaf out of their book and just started enjoying it again.’’

Hastings was midway through the three hour trip to Wyong when he was told the Sea Eagles were prepare to give him in NRL shot.

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“My manager, Sam Ayoub, called me with about a week to go of the preseason and told me Manly were interested,’’ Hastings said.

“I just jumped at the opportunity. It is a fresh start for me and something I am looking forward to.’’

Hastings, who admitted to his past mistakes and blamed nobody but himself for his Roosters demise, said he had made it his mission to earn the respect off his peers when he begins his career as a Sea Eagle next week.

Hastings ended 2016 in reserve grade.

“I am going to go out of my way to show them the respect they deserve,’’ Hastings said.

“I have looked up to a lot of the blokes there for years, and they need to know that.

“Daly Cherry Evans was the bloke I wanted to be like when I was 16. I need to earn their respect and their trust. I will do that by working hard, not trying to be the hero at training.’’

Hastings denied he was arrogant or egotistical, as some have suggested.

“The ego thing is pretty funny,’’ Hastings said. “Everyone I meet brings it up. They tell me that I am real different to the things they have heard about me.

“They change there minds when they meet me. But I can see why people think that of me.

“It upsets me that the way I go about my football, or they way I present myself lead to people thinking of me like that.

“What I want people to know is that I am definitely not arrogant. But I do have 100 per cent confidence in what I am able to do and what I want to do on the football field.’’