Former Sea Eagle Jackson Hastings opens up on NRL exile

Manly Sea Eagles outcast Jackson Hastings has opened up on the true damage of his troubling ordeal in a revealing tell-all in England.

Jackson Hastings pictured during the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles game held at the Belmore Sports Ground in Belmore. Picture: Christian Gilles

Former Manly Sea Eagle Jackson Hastings has opened up on the ordeal which saw him forced out of the club and move overseas to continue his promising rugby league career.

The 23-year-old was released by the Northern Beaches club after being dropped to the reserves following a reported altercation with Daly Cherry-Evans.

The rising playmaker had also put the club off-side after breaching curfew.

After being booted from the Sea Eagles, Hastings jumped ship from the NRL to join Super League club the Red Devils.

“I’m just a kid from Australia who’s stuffed up a few times and landed in Salford,” he said in an interview with Total Rugby League.

“I’m trying to repay the faith of the club by performing at my best every single week but also by being good with the fans.”

Hastings admitted he thought his playing career was dripping down the drain after his public Manly blow-up.

“I thought I may not play professional rugby league ever again,” he continued. “When you sign a player you look at their past and I understood with one silly decision I could have thrown everything away. I had sleepless nights, nights I’d start crying for the simple fact I loved Rugby League and I almost chucked it all away all down to myself.

“I’d never broken curfew before, it’s just a dumb error, it’s immaturity really. That’s what bugs me the most, it was an easy decision to avoid but once alcohol comes involved in thinking, you know how it ends. It was so avoidable, that’s what leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”

Felt so good to be back out there running around with the boys again. A lot of work to be done but happy to get off the mark! Well done @SuperLeague on promoting the game of rugby league. #NewBeginnings 🤙🏼🏈 pic.twitter.com/kkQHcKrlf1

— Jackson Hastings (@JackoHastings) February 3, 2019

“I had to look myself in the mirror and get the correct people around me willing to help but not just be interested in me as a player but a person.

“I’d never had that before. I found out real quick who my mates were and who wanted to see me do well and my wellbeing.”

Hastings confessed he sought professional help to handle the traumatic ordeal after becoming public enemy number one.

Jackson Hastings is now playing for the Red Devils in the Super League.

“It wasn’t just trying to dodge the bullet, I went and got professional help from people who know who to handle certain situations. The situation I was in was blown right out of proportion and into something it didn’t need to be. But I needed help pretty bad. The RLPA back in Australia, Ian Pendergast and Clint Newton are two people I’m extremely grateful for and I’m thankful for their help because without them I’d be in a pretty bad way.

“Even to this day, Sporting Chance are helping me not make the same mistake and stay in the mindset to perform at my peak every week.

“I’m extremely grateful to Salford Red Devils for the love and the opportunity they’ve given me.”