Jackson Hastings was essentially exiled from the NRL in 2018 and unsure if he would ever play professionally in Australia again.
Fast forward four years and he is shaping up as one of the best buys of the 2022 season.
The 26-year-old entered the top grade to much fanfare in 2014 when he debuted for the Roosters – despite being a Dragons junior.
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He played 34 games in three seasons at Bondi, before jumping ship to Manly, where things took an unfortunate turn.
Hastings only managed 13 games in two seasons for the Sea Eagles, and was punted after falling out with club captain Daly Cherry-Evans. His NRL career threatened to end before it had really taken off.
On the advice of his manager, Hastings fled to England where he spent three seasons playing for Salford and Wigan.
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He’s now back in Australia – a different player, and a different man.
“I learned a hell of a lot (in England). I had to learn about myself,” Hastings told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show.
“I guess I had four years to look in the mirror and reflect on life. I had everything in front of me and I just let it slip by being immature and making poor mistakes.
“I learned a lot in terms of how I wanted to play my football, but I learned a lot in terms of who I wanted to be as a man, and a human, and a teammate.
“The football came from hard work and commitment, which is something I’ve always had. But I wanted to be a good teammate and a consistent role model for the younger kids coming through… be a sounding board for people who needed a bit of help.
“I’m not the finished product, I’m nowhere near what I want to be at, but I suppose I’m heading in the right direction.”
Hastings’ return to the NRL has been electric.
He missed three weeks due to suspension, but since returning to the Tigers side the team has two wins on the trot. They were previously winless through five games.
Hastings caused a stir a fortnight ago when coach Michael Maguire named him in the No.7 jumper, ousting long-time halfback Luke Brooks who was shafted to five-eighth.
But the switch has kickstarted the spluttering Tigers. Hastings nailed the winning field goal against Parramatta last week, and Brooks slotted the winner against South Sydney in round seven.
Hastings and Brooks have been working closely with Brett Kimmorley and Ben Gardiner at the Tigers to fine-tune their performances, and it’s paying dividends for the club that hasn’t featured in finals for a decade.
Hastings was asked how he has changed since debuting for the Roosters eight years ago.
“I became a bit of a robot (in the NRL), which looking back on I’m extremely disappointed in myself,” he said.
“My whole junior career I was a runner of the football first, and pass second, and at the moment I feel like I’ve got the balance right between taking the line on and throwing the pass.
“I’m trying to develop my game into someone who’s a threat with the ball – running, passing, kicking.
“I’m working really hard at it. I haven’t found my niche yet, I can only get better.”
The Tigers named a five-man captaincy group in pre-season.
Hastings was not on that list – but NRL legend Billy Slater says this is now Hastings’ team.
“He’s got a great ability to deflect off himself and pick his teammates up,” Slater told the Sunday Footy Show.
“He is the on-field captain of this team. It’s no surprise there is a correlation between him coming back into the team and the team starting to win games.”
NSW coach Brad Fittler agrees Hastings is the main reason the Tigers have turned things around.
“They are more organised, you can tell,” Fittler said.
“They are in position a lot quicker, and Jackson has a lot to do with that.”
The Tigers next face the Dragons in round eight.
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