LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Jackson Hastings has officially joined St Helens on a one-year contract, marking his return to the Betfred Super League after spending four seasons in the NRL with the Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers.
The 29-year-old previously played in the UK for both Wigan and Salford, where he reached Grand Finals with each club. Hastings won the Steve Prescott Man of Steel award in 2019 while with the Red Devils and participated in all four Test matches during the Great Britain tour that same year.
"I'm really excited. I've got a young family now, my partner's English, and it'll be great for my daughter to meet that side of the family and experience the English culture that's in my blood, too. I'm just buzzing to get over, settle my family, and be part of the Saints family," Hastings expressed.
Having returned to Australia to play in the NRL, Hastings feels he comes back to the Super League as a more developed individual and player. "Certainly on the life side of things, I've been through a lot - big lessons. On the playing side of things, I think I'm coming back realising what I'm best at: organising, kicking well, getting the team around the park, and then taking chances when they come. I'm ready to put my best foot forward for this club," he stated.
Hastings is also looking forward to changing his history with the Saints. "I've been on the wrong side of Saints history a couple of times, so I'm looking forward to joining the right side at such a great club. Every time I played Saints, it was a brilliant game. Everyone knows their role, is super fit, defensively intimidating, and always professional and well organised," he added.