The Wests Tigers have reportedly opened the door for star playmaker Jackson Hastings to leave the club.
In an extraordinary twist to the club’s signing of English forward John Bateman, it has now been reported the pair have history from their previous time as teammates at Super League club Wigan.
The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio said on Friday there is “tension” between the two players who haven’t previously got on well.
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The Daily Telegraph first reported Hastings could be the odd man out and rival clubs have already started monitoring the situation should Hastings suddenly fall onto the open market.
Hastings is contracted through to the end of the 2023 season with the Tigers, but is able to begin negotiations with rival clubs after the November 1 deadline passed.
The newspaper reports Hastings could suddenly become immediately available for the start of the 2023 season, should he ask for a release.
Hastings had already been shifted out of the halves at the Tigers and moved into a utility position, playing predominantly at lock. The Tigers have reportedly settled on a pairing of Luke Brooks and Adam Doueihi playing in the halves next year.
The signing of Bateman could be the final straw for Hastings at the club with Riccio telling SEN Breakfast on Friday there are whispers Bateman will play at lock for the Tigers.
The Tigers are in the middle of an extraordinary juggling act with star halfback Brooks’ request for a release being knocked back on several occasions.
Brooks is reported to be chasing a move to Newcastle.
Tigers coach Tim Sheens previously said he wouldn’t release Brooks, who is set to pocket more than $1 million next season with his contract expiring at the end of 2023.
Bateman, meanwhile, is eyeing a three-year deal to link with Api Koroisau and Isaiah Papali’I in a new look Tigers pack.
The merger club will have to fork out $250,000 to secure Bateman’s signature, paying Wigan a hefty transfer fee.
Tigers powerbrokers are reportedly happy to pay the figure which sits outside the club’s salary cap.
The Tigers are also reportedly trying to lure David Klemmer or Tyson Frizell, but have baulked at a swap deal for halfback Luke Brooks at this stage.
Riccio said he expects the Tigers to go “all in” on Bateman’s transfer fee and said Hastings may be better off moving to play with Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins next year.
“I’ve actually been told that Bateman could play in the No. 13 jumper when he gets to the Tigers,” he said.
“That’s been floated. We know he’s predominantly played as a back-rower.
“This has been doing the rounds that Bateman and Hastings aren’t the best of mates from their days at Wigan. There is a bit of tension there – and that might be too much to bare for either the Tigers or Jackson Hastings.
“Hastings is off contract at the end of next season. It raises a question in my mind with the Dolphins as far as recruitment goes, whether Hastings wouldn’t be better served finding a home at the Dolphins where he knows he is going to get a run. We know Wayne Bennett gets the best out of players.
“Jackson Hastings is a different kind of character and we know Bennett has that ability to coach different styles of players.”
Bateman quit the Raiders while under contract in 2020 to return to the Super League.
