A rumoured feud between Knights playmaker Jackson Hastings and off-season recruit John Bateman may have been a factor in the halfback’s departure from the Wests Tigers.
Hastings, 27, left for the Hunter in a swap deal with prop David Klemmer joining Tim Sheens and the Tigers for 2023.
Hastings and Bateman played a season together in the Super League for Wigan Warriors in 2021 and reportedly didn’t see eye-to-eye.
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Then when news began circling Bateman was set to return to the NRL — he apparently made one thing clear to Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah.
“The funny thing was as soon as we got wind that Bateman was going there, I got told that he wouldn’t play with Jackson Hastings,” the Daily Telegraph’s Paul Crawley said on NRL 360.
“I inquired about that story and I got told that Hastings didn’t have a problem with Bateman, but I am pretty sure the other way around was an issue.
“And so following that about a week later, Jackson ends up in Newcastle and there you go. But there’s no issues….”
NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent added: “Bateman and Hastings were teammates at Wigan and didn’t get on there, to the point where Hastings left.”
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The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio also explained Hastings’ outward support of embattled coach Michael Maguire also led to his departure from the merger club.
“I think Jackson’s quite vocal support of Michael Maguire as well through that turbulent period, also played a role in, I wouldn’t say his departure, but his perception within the club,” Riccio said.
“Certainly that’s eventually led to his exit.”
Hastings was also shifted to lock during the back-end of his stint with the Tigers, while he is currently wearing the No.7 jersey for the Knights.
The former Man of Steel said that is his preferred position but made it clear he doesn’t “have anything to prove to anyone” ahead of this week’s clash with the Tigers.
“For me it is just another game, it is a club I played for… a club I thought I was going to be at for a long period of time,” Hastings said on Tuesday.
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“Ultimately I ended up at the Knights which I am very grateful for too… I don’t play to prove anything to anyone besides myself and my teammates.
“It doesn’t matter, I’m not there… I don’t have anything to prove to anyone.”
NRL360 host Braith Anasta isn’t buying it and is certain it is a grudge match for Hastings who makes up a new-look Newcastle spine with Kalyn Ponga and Lachie Miller.
“I love his attitude, I love what he says, but I don’t believe it,” Anasta said.
“He would want to win against his old club, who didn’t really want him, or supposedly.”