‘Hard to handle’: Reasons for Jackson Hastings’ Tigers exit amid fallout with Tim Sheens

Jackson Hastings’ departure from the Tigers was reportedly due to the Knights recruit being “hard to handle” in his time at the club.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 24: Jackson Hastings of the Tigers looks dejected after losing the round 19 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Wests Tigers at Qld Country Bank Stadium, on July 24, 2022, in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Jackson Hastings’ departure from the Tigers was reportedly due to the Knights recruit being “hard to handle” in his time at the club amid a falling out with new coach Tim Sheens.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported sources around the Tigers club claimed Hastings was difficult, which made a swap deal with David Klemmer in their best interests.

Hastings’ fractured relationship with the club reportedly originated from his loyalty to axed coach Michael Maguire, who was the reason he signed with the Tigers.

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Hastings continued to show support for Maguire long after he was axed by the club mid-season.

The relationship between Hastings and Sheens deteriorated further when he made the decision to move the halfback to the lock position late in the season.

Hastings was willing to make the move to lock for the good of the team, but privately he would have preferred to stay at halfback, where he will play for his new club Newcastle.

Jackson Hastings fell out of favour with Tim Sheens.

The Herald also revealed a number of other petty factors contributed to Hastings falling out of favour at the Tigers.

Hastings failed to fill in a welfare survey that was required by the club, which was seen as an act of defiance from the playmaker.

The Tigers were also reportedly unhappy with Hastings’ use of social media to track his recovery from the broken ankle that ended his season.

Sheens was unavailable for comment since the reports emerged.

Tim Sheens was not a fan of Jackson Hastings.

Originally published as ‘Hard to handle’: Reasons for Jackson Hastings’ Tigers exit amid fallout with Tim Sheens