In a stunning twist that has sent shockwaves across the NRL, Newcastle Knights playmaker Jackson Hastings has reportedly decided to walk away from the club with immediate effect, following months of frustration and uncertainty surrounding his role within the team.
The 2025 season has been nothing short of disastrous for the Knights, who endured a humiliating campaign that ended with them collecting the wooden spoon and parting ways with coach Adam O’Brien mid-season. Sources close to the club reveal that the atmosphere inside the camp has been tense for weeks, with players growing increasingly disillusioned by poor results, questionable selections, and a lack of direction from management.
Hastings, one of the club’s most senior and highest-paid players — earning a reported $800,000 per season — has been at the center of the storm. The 29-year-old was demoted to the NSW Cup early in the season after a series of inconsistent performances, a move that insiders claim left him “deeply frustrated” and questioning his future. The decision came as part of O’Brien’s controversial experiment to shift young gun Fletcher Sharpe into the five-eighth role — a gamble that many within the club felt was rushed and poorly managed.
A close source to Hastings told reporters:
“Jackson’s been nothing but professional, but it’s no secret he’s been unhappy. He felt like he wasn’t being valued for what he brings to the team. Being dropped to reserve grade after everything he’s done was the final straw.”
The constant chopping and changing in the halves — with O’Brien using 29 different combinations in five seasons — only deepened Hastings’ frustration. Once a key leader in Newcastle’s rebuild, he reportedly grew tired of what he viewed as “mixed messages” from the coaching staff and a lack of long-term faith in his abilities.
While Hastings remained contracted until the end of the season, whispers of an early release had been circulating for weeks. Several rival clubs — including St George Illawarra and Canterbury Bulldogs — are believed to be monitoring his situation closely, viewing him as an experienced playmaker who can bring control and composure to their halves setup.
Fans first sensed tension in Round 12’s clash against the Bulldogs, when boos rang out at McDonald Jones Stadium as the Knights trailed 16-0 at halftime. Although the frustration was mainly aimed at the team’s overall direction, many insiders now believe that moment marked a turning point — both for Hastings and for the dressing room dynamic.
An insider added:
> “When Hastings was benched, you could feel the shift. Morale dropped. Players started questioning decisions, and from there, the season spiraled.”
With the club already facing a roster overhaul and ongoing injury crises — including key names like Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe, and Dylan Lucas sidelined — Hastings’ sudden departure only compounds the instability at Newcastle.
The Knights are expected to make an official statement in the coming days, but for now, Hastings’ exit appears imminent. What’s clear is that his time in the Hunter Valley has ended on a sour note, despite flashes of brilliance and leadership that once made him a cornerstone of the squad.
For Hastings, this decision could mark the beginning of a fresh chapter — one where he seeks stability, respect, and the chance to play consistent first-grade football once again. But for the Knights, it’s yet another blow in what has become one of their most turbulent seasons in recent history.
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