Hastings demoted after double drama

Jackson Hastings will likely spend the rest of the season in reserve grade after Manly coach Trent Barrett admitted ongoing drama surrounding the young NRL prodigy was a ticking time bomb.

Barrett took it upon himself to call a snap press conference before Sea Eagles training on Wednesday, taking full ownership over the decision to relegate the 22-year-old back to feeder club Blacktown.

The Sea Eagles coach also admitted there had been two separate incidents between Hastings and captain Daly CherryEvans earlier this month in Gladstone, before Sea Eagles officials made the call to separate the youngster from the group.

Critically, Barrett said they had been continuing to offer support to the ex-Sydney Rooster.

‘‘There have been concerns ongoing,’’ Barrett said. ‘‘This certainly isn’t a one-off incident. We have pretty well documented a lot of things over the past 12 months.

‘‘The last formal one was on February 2 when we had Jackson in here with the RLPA with his manager and our welfare officer to try and work out a plan to work through some issues to avoid a situation we’ve just gone through.’’

Hastings was named at halfback for Blacktown for this weekend, after having missed last week’s loss to the Wests Tigers with an Achilles injury.

And it’s there Barrett believes he’s likely to stay unless Manly can find another interested club.

‘‘He’ll be at Blacktown, he’s going to train at Blacktown,’’ Barrett said.

‘‘If it is to be at another club that would be terrific. First and foremost the club needs to look after Jackson’s welfare ...’’