Ex-Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils star Jackson Hastings reveals which Super League side he almost signed for

In his three-and-a-half years in Super League, Jackson Hastings became a cult hero.

From saving the Salford Red Devils from relegation to propelling them to a Grand Final the year after in 2019, the Australian halfback is still very much loved in that part of the world.

But, Hastings has not had it all his own way in his rugby league career so far – far from it – as he was often labelled a troublemaker at his NRL clubs, Sydney Roosters and Manly Sea Eagles.

“It’s pretty hard to deny (being a troublemaker) when a lot of people were saying the same thing – obviously I was doing something wrong and not getting involved in team activities,” Hastings told the Sunday Night Show with Matty Johns.

“I sort of excluded myself from he group and it took me to get kicked out of two clubs to take a step back and realise I was playing a team game.

“And then I had to fit in over the other side of the world or I would have had no one,”

Hastings revealed how a move to Super League came about – and that he almost signed for another club.

“I had a chance to go to Huddersfield with Simon Woolford, but they wouldn’t give me a player option for a year to come home if something happened.

“And then Salford came knocking and realised that I wanted to do the eight weeks over there and help them stay up and avoid relegation.

“After the eight weeks and the scenes at the club they loved me and treated me like a rockstar and I couldn’t turn my back on them.

“To go over there and be loved straightaway, I’ve never had before so it was special.

“I’m very grateful for my time there.”