NRL 2022: Did Wests Tigers or Knights win Jackson Hastings, David Klemmer player swap?

Both the Knights and Tigers benefitted from the Jackson Hastings-David Klemmer player swap, but who won the trade? Our experts go head-to-head.

The Tigers and Knights are negotiating a player swap.

WHY KNIGHTS CAME OUT ON TOP

—Michael Carayannis

What did the Knights need most? The answer was simple. A halfback. While there is no discounting the form of David Klemmer this season and the upside he still has at just 28 – Newcastle were going to flounder for a second straight year if they did not find a suitable no.7.

For 12 months they have been searching for a halfback. Mitchell Pearce’s abrupt decision to leave no doubt left them in the lurch this year.

They tried Adam Clune, Jake Clifford and Phoenix Crossland with minimal success. Clune was bought to the club to be Pearce’s understudy – not to play 18 games.

The Knights are the clear winners in the swap, after fixing the biggest problem with their roster, writes Michael Carayannis. Picture: NRL Photos.

While the club flirted with Luke Brooks, their signing of Hastings is a better fit. Hastings loves getting his hands on the ball. The Tigers hierarchy may have considered him a lock but Hastings is a controlling halfback and that is exactly what Newcastle need.

If Kalyn Ponga’s switch to five-eighth is to work then that’s exactly the sort of player they need. Hastings will tell Ponga where to go and direct the team around freeing up the superstar to play with a freedom he has not been afforded.

Hastings win at all costs attitude too gives Newcastle a harder edge along with the likes of fellow recruits Adam Elliott and Jack Hetherington.

WHY TIGERS ARE THE CLEAR WINNERS

—David Riccio

Please don’t sit there and tell me the Wests Tigers haven’t won the NRL’s latest round of trading places.

Cats they may have been. But no more.

Into Concord comes hard-nosed prop David Klemmer and out goes utility Jackson Hastings to the Knights.

Not only does Klemmer’s experience win hands down, he also has the ingredients that every coach craves in a front rower; size, can play big minutes and is a little bit mad.

In Klemmer, Tigers fans have their new Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach.

If the Tigers are really going to get the best out of Luke Brooks, it’s the Tigers pack, not a ball-playing utility like Hastings, that will give the halfback the room to play.

The Tigers are the clear winner in the deal, and David Klemmer can be the club’s new Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach, writes David Riccio. Picture: Getty Images.

Still just 28, Klemmer has shown no sign of losing all-important power in his legs.

And his statistics this season back that up.

Klemmer has just finished the 2022 season where he ranked fifth across the entire NRL for most average run-metres (147) and ahead of world-class forwards Tino Fa‘asuamaleaui (142) and Jason Taumalolo (139).

Remember the calls for the Tigers to sign a forward with Test and State of Origin experience? Klemmer has played 19-games for Australia and 14-games for NSW.

His experience will be pivotal as the Wests Tigers continue to blood outstanding young forwards Stefano Utoikamanu and Fonua Pole.

Remember the criticism of the Tigers consinstelny chasing over the hill forwards with their best years behind them?

Two months ago, Klemmer was named the Knights Players Player at the club’s 2022 season awards night.

I’ll happily back Klemmer now to win the same award at the Tigers in 2023.

KNIGHT’S SPINE RESHUFFLE PLANS HIT SNAG

Newcastle push to complete their spine-puzzle has hit a hurdle with Cronulla set to reject any request to release back-up fullback Lachlan Miller.

The Knights are pushing ahead with plans to move Kalyn Ponga to five-eighth but that switch leaves them with a gaping hole at fullback. They solved one of their problems on Wednesday when Jackson Hastings was officially announced on a three year deal with Newcastle releasing prop David Klemmer to join the Tigers.

While the Ponga/Hastings is all but locked in the Knights will now shift their attention to finding a fullback. They missed out on Manly flyer Reuben Garrick who recommitted to the club on a long-term deal and want to give Miller a crack at fullback.

However, the Sharks are privately knocking back any move to release Miller from the final year of his contract. The ex-Olympic sevens player made a mark for Cronulla during his seven matches this year – including running for a game high 198 metres and scoring a try against Newcastle in the final round of the season.

Sharks flyer Lachlan Miller is a wanted man, but Cronulla say he isn’t going anywhere. Picture: Getty Images.

The Sharks have a high opinion of Miller and believe he will be an asset next season.

Cronulla refused to release Luke Metcalf this year despite the half signing with the Warriors for next year.

Other options internally at the Knights include the versatile Kurt Mann or veteran Dane Gagai. The Knights were also in pursuit of Brisbane’s Tesi Niu but he has been linked with the Dolphins.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens “congratulated” Hastings on securing on his long-term future. The Tigers had made it clear he would play lock for the club.

“I don‘t blame Jacko, he wanted to play seven and (Newcastle) offered him a seven jumper,” Sheens said. ”He was in our plans to be 13, but he’s off to Newcastle to play seven and we wish him well.”

Klemmer joins the club for at least the next three seasons with a mutual option for a fourth year. He reunites with Sheens who handed Klemmer his Kangaroos debut in 2014.

Jackson Hastings has joined the Knights, in a swap deal for front rower David Klemmer. Picture: Getty Images.

“We needed a bit of experience in the front row, we’ve got some great kids coming through in our 20s and our State Cup, but some more experience in there was something we were looking for and he fits the bill really well,” Sheens said.

“I‘m looking forward to having him in the joint. He’s got lovely hands, he can play footy, he’s big and he’s fit. He won the Knights player of the year and he’s a quality person, having met his wife and family.

“I enjoyed the time I had with him in the Australian side when he was younger and I‘m comfortable we’ve got ourselves a strong buy that will help lead the forwards.”

The Tigers are continuing discussions with English backrower John Batemen to form a revamped forward pack.

IT’S OFFICIAL: KNIGHTS UNVEIL NEW HALFBACK

—Michael Carayannis, Phil Rothfield

Newcastle have lauded the signing of Jackson Hastings as the Knights and Tigers confirm a player swap.

Hastings will link up with Newcastle and wear the no.7 jersey after agreeing to a three year deal to join the club immediately.

His arrival will see ex-Kangaroos and NSW prop David Klemmer join the Tigers for at least the next three years.

Newcastle director of football Peter Parr said the club were “delighted” to secure Hastings.

“He compliments our playing roster and adds further depth to our halves, with the additional bonus of being a competent goal kicker.

🚨 HASTINGS SIGNS 🚨

The nib Newcastle Knights have today confirmed Jackson Hastings will join the club immediately, after agreeing to terms on a new three-year deal.

➡️ https://t.co/9SnXipKIln#defendthekingdom

— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) November 16, 2022

“Jackson is at a stage of his career where he is coming into his prime and we believe his best years are ahead of him.”

Tigers boss Justin Pascoe said Hastings’ departure was based on “tough decisions” needed to be made at the club.

“Our members and fans need to understand that every decision that is made is in the best interest of this club and changing the fortunes on the field.

“This was a good opportunity for Jackson to get a long-term deal playing in his preferred position at number seven.”

PLAYERS WARNED TO STAY AWAY AMID SWAP SPECULATION

Newcastle’s 12-month search for a halfback is set to end while the Tigers continue to add grunt to their forward pack in a player market shake-up.

Barring any last minute hurdle, Jackson Hastings will join Newcastle while David Klemmer is Tigers bound after the two clubs were locked in discussions in the past 72 hours to get a deal done.

Both players were told to skip training on Monday while the clubs continued negotiations as they move to finalise a deal which works for both parties.

It is understood the respective contracts will be for at least three seasons. Hastings and Klemmer had 12 months left on their current deals.

Hastings gets a crack at wearing the No.7 jersey he has craved after the Tigers preferred Luke Brooks – who the Knights also flirted with signing – to start at halfback. Hastings was set to play at lock for the Tigers this year.

Instead, he will now most likely form a dynamic combination with Kalyn Ponga, with the Knights toying with the idea of moving their superstar fullback into the halves.

Jackson Hastings would be a big upgrade in the halves for the Knights. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

The Knights struggled for any direction in the halves this year after Mitchell Pearce left the club during last off-season. Adam Clune, Jake Clifford and Phoenix Crossland were all tried in the No.7 jersey with limited success. Clune remains at the club and they have added Brisbane five-eighth Tyson Gamble.

Immortal Andrew Johns has personally reached out to Hastings to talk him into joining the Knights.

The Knights unsuccessfully pursued Manly’s Reuben Garrick with the promise of a shot at fullback.

Klemmer is also given the security of a long-term deal which may not have eventuated if he saw out the final year of his $850,000 deal. He will also reunite with Tigers coach Tim Sheens, who handed Klemmer his Kangaroos debut in 2014.

The Tigers will enjoy a vastly different forward pack next season. They have added Klemmer and fellow internationals Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’I and remain in the market for English back-rower John Bateman.

The Knights will leave for a pre-season training camp on Tuesday.

David Klemmer could be on his way to the Tigers. Picture: NRL PHOTOS

The Tigers are building a world-class forward pack. They have already signed representative duo Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’I and are now close to landing Klemmer and Englishman John Batmen. It is understood Bateman’s partner – who he met in Canberra – has returned to Australia with their young child. Bateman fell out with the Raiders in his final season at the club in 2020. He is only halfway through a four-year deal at Wigan. The Tigers already have the likes of Stefano Utoikamanu, Joe Ofahengaue, Shawn Blore and Alex Twal already on their books.

Klemmer is still only 28 and needs just six games to play 200 first grade matches.

The swap would be the second one for the Tigers after letting Tyrone Peachey go to Penrith in exchange for Charlie Staines.

POTENTIAL TIGERS 2023 TEAM

1 Charlie Staines

2 David Nofoaluma

3 Starford To’a

4 Brent Naden

5 Ken Maumalo

6 Adam Doueihi

7 Luke Brooks

8 David Klemmer

9 Api Koroisau

10 Alex Twal

11 John Bateman

12 Isaiah Papali’I

13 Joe Ofahengaue

14 Daine Laurie

15 Fonua Pole

16 Shawn Blore

17 Stefano Utoikamanu

Originally published as NRL 2022: Did Wests Tigers or Knights win Jackson Hastings, David Klemmer player swap?