Why Jackson Hastings journey to Manly was 12 years in the making
TRENT Barrett’s coaching career began 12 years ago in a South Coast backyard with a rugby league-obsessed nine-year-old.
Last week, Manly Sea Eagles coach Barrett signed that kid, Jackson Hastings, as a utility.
“I first met Trent when I was nine,’’ Hastings said. “It is pretty surreal that he is now my coach in the NRL.’’
Hastings recalled how he first met Barrett and the circumstances that lead to the NRL star becoming his personal mentor.
“My mum played touch with his wife and I used to run up and down the touch line watching him play,’’ Hastings said.
“Shaun Timmins and Matt Cooper also played in my mum’s side so it was pretty cool for a nine-year-old to get to watch that.’’
Hastings first session with Barrett began with the former Dragons star swimming across a lake just to throw the footy around with him.
“He ended up living across the lake from my nan and grandad,’’ Hastings said.
“He used to see me when I was out the back. I would wave and he would take the time out to come across the lake. He would walk across if it was low tide and even swim across if it was high tide. He would come over and throw the footy around with me.’’
Soon Barrett was firing footballs to Hastings on the Lake Illawarra soccer field.
“He used to take me down to the park,’’ Hastings said.
“I wouldn’t ask, he would offer. I just cherished it. For him to want me to come and play with him ten years later is just so special. To say I want to pay him back for everything is an understatement.’’
Hastings credits much of his NRL rise to Barrett.
“He taught me a lot,’’ Hastings said.
“Even just being able to watch him play tough was remarkable. I suppose I was studying him even back then.
“Any kid growing up in the Illawarra watching the Dragons play wanted to be Trent Barrett and I was the kid that got to train with him.
“I was a five-eighth too and he showed me all the skills that have helped get me to where I am.’’
So what will be different when Jackson and Barrett are reunited Sea Eagles pre-season training next week?
“I think he might end up yelling at me a little more,’’ Hastings said.
“I don’t think he will have the same patience. There might be a few more swear words too.’’
Hastings is looking forward to his next chapter which will include other familiar faces including Dylan Walker, who he has played alongside.
“I have also worked with a couple of the other coaches,’’ Hastings said.
“So I feel really lucky to be going there. I am also really looking forward to working with Bob Fulton. The guy is an immortal and a legend of the game. I just feel so privileged to get the opportunity to go to a club with such good people and a rich and proud history.’’
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