‘Very disrespected’: Jackson Hastings opens up on Knights, injuries and Super League
Polarising Newcastle halfback Jackson Hastings opens up on the Knights, serious injuries and the criticism that seems to follow him.
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Newcastle halfback Jackson Hastings has spoken about his close friendship with Tyson Gamble and the disrespect the pair copped as a halves pairing this NRL season.
And in a wide-ranging podcast interview with Triple M, Hastings has spoken about intense criticism and how he turned it into motivation to help the Knights to their best season finish since 2013.
It comes after outspoken former NRL champion Willie Mason started a war of words when he labelled the Knights’ spine the worst in the competition without Kalyn Ponga late in the season, and Gamble responded by telling him to “get f***ed”.
Mason then doubled down on social media after the Knights were bumped out of the qualifying finals 40-10, taking direct aim at Gamble by saying there couldn’t be a big enough hole for him to crawl into.
“I’d say we’re very disrespected, myself and Tyson. I know he came out and said what he said (about Willie Mason), but for me it is what it is,” Hastings told the podcast.
“You can use that disrespect as motivation and if people don’t rate us that’s on them.
There could not be a bigger hole that Tyson gamble wants to crawl into right now.
— Willie Mason WMM 💯🇦🇺🇹🇴 (@mase21) September 16, 2023
Pick ya battles boy. You are below average. @levelsnetwork
“But the people within our four walls, the people at the top of our club and our teammates and coach believe in us, and that’s all you need as a player.”
Hastings spoke of the similarities between himself and Gamble – both unheralded halves who have bounced around to various different clubs before landing at Newcastle this season.
“When you find someone who believes in the same things you do, who plays the game how you play it, who competes hard like you do, and doesn’t care about the flashy moments ... when that happens you can feel the emotion,” he continued.
“I could tell when he stepped out on the training field (in the pre-season) that this meant something to him.”
NEW HALF IN THE MIX
Jack Cogger will re-join the Knights in 2024 after winning a premiership with Penrith this season.
He played 20 games for the Knights between 2016-18 and will add another choice into the mix with Hastings, Gamble and Phoenix Crossland all vying for spots in the halves.
It’s all welcome competition for Hastings.
“One hundred per cent. I think he’s the only person at the club who’s won a comp. I’m in no position to say anything,” he said.
“It’s fantastic for the club.
“I don’t expect to play every week, I expect to earn my spot and I’ll fight for that in the pre-season and whatever comes will come.
“I know that, if for some reason, myself or Tyson aren’t in the halves, it will hurt but we will take it the right way and work to get back in there.
“And I suppose Jack’s the same.
“Coggs is a welcome addition to our squad. He’s going to bring a lot of class and obviously experience in big games, which we need.
“May the best man win.”
INJURY DRAMA
Hastings has had a horror run with injuries across the past two seasons.
He suffered a long-term leg injury as a result of a hip drop tackle when he was at the Wests Tigers in 2022, and he suffered a syndesmosis injury while playing Canterbury in round 24 this season.
“I don’t really begrudge anyone for it happening (the hip drops), but I hope it never happens again, because it’s happened twice now,” he said.
“I remember laying there thinking, this can’t happen again.”
In his return game, he played just 40 minutes of the Knights’ home final against Canberra before being forced off the field with a broken leg.
“When halftime came, I tired to get up and run but I just couldn’t get anything going, it was borderline impossible for me,” he said.
“I had two breaks in my leg, a plate not sitting in the right spot, my syndesmosis tightrope was hanging at the back of my ankle, I was in a bad way.
“It was upsetting not to be able to finish that game because the atmosphere of that game is something I’d never really seen before and I couldn’t fully embrace it because I was so down in the dumps.
“The high of winning that game was so high, but knowing I was gone again and knowing I would have to go through a surgery again was so low.
“I tried not to look like I was down and selfish, but the mental side of it hit me pretty hard.”
SUPER LEAGUE TALENT
The former Man of Steel winner also spoke of his love of the Super League after playing four seasons in England with Wigan and Salford.
He backs Bevan French and Brodie Croft to make a successful return to the NRL too if that’s what they want.
“Bev’s an extreme talent and he would absolutely kill it back here if he got the chance (to return to the NRL),” he said.
“He just needs an opportunity. People like him would brain it in the NRL.
“You’ve got to go to a place where you can thrive and there’s a spot for you that you can take advantage of.
“Brodie Croft has won a Man of Steel at Salford where I was, Bevan’s won a Man of Steel.
“There’s definitely room to come back if you’re willing to do the work ... they’d definitely be a shot at coming back if that’s what they desired.”
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