Surprise club interest in signing former Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils star Jackson Hastings

The future of Jackson Hastings has been one of the most intriguing stories in recent years.

When he was at the Salford Red Devils – after joining at the back end of 2018 – Hastings was linked with a ‘bigger’ Super League club.

After earning that ‘bigger’ move to the Wigan Warriors ahead of the 2020 season, the halfback was then continuously linked with a move back to the NRL.

That eventually came to fruition too with Hastings being signed by the Wests Tigers for 2022 and beyond, but throughout this season so far, the Australian has yet again been linked with a move to a number of NRL rivals.

One such rival was the Newcastle Knights who, after suffering a dismal 2022 so far, have been active in the transfer market in a bid to alleviate the pressure on head coach Adam O’Brien.

However, with Newcastle Herald journalist Barry Toohey asked on Twitter: “is Hastings an actual option to sign next year? Or does he have longer on his contract with tigers.”

Toohey responded with: “He’s signed Ben but Knights not looking at him now anyway. Not sure that will change.”

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He’s signed Ben but Knights not looking at him now anyway. Not sure that will change. https://t.co/tzlJDyrNuX

— Barry Toohey (@BarryToohey) August 8, 2022

With that in mind, Hastings has also been linked to the Canterbury Bulldogs whose problems at the beginning of 2022 were well documented under previous coach Trent Barrett.

However, since Mick Potter was appointed as interim head coach until the end of the season, the Bulldogs have enjoyed a rapid rise in fortunes with halfbacks Matt Burton and Kyle Flanagan impressing greatly.

That has since quashed any rumours of Hastings making a move to Canterbury, with the halfback himself desiring to stay at Wests.

However, one club which is seemingly going under the radar in terms of interest is the Gold Coast Titans.

Jamal Fogarty left the Titans ahead of 2022 and Titans boss Justin Holbrook failed to replace him, now, they are sowing the seeds of that downfall.

Yet, the Gold Coast are reportedly keeping their eyes on Hastings, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Of course, if the ‘right’ deal comes along, no one would begrudge the 26-year-old the move of a lifetime, but the halfback is determined to make a go of it at the Concord club.