Best yet to come from Hastings

CASTLEFORD coach Daryl Powell has no doubt Jackson Hastings is the top player in Super League, but the Salford playmaker says his best is yet to come.

The 23-year-old Australian half-back has been a revelation in Super League and has almost single-handedly steered the Red Devils to within sight of Old Trafford as they prepare to take on Powell’s men in the elimination semi-final at the AJ Bell Stadium this evening.

Hastings, who will be a Wigan player in 2020, is the hot favourite to end his Salford stint as the Steve Prescott Man of Steel but insists he is far from the finished article.

“There’s been moments this year where I’ve been really proud of what I’ve been able to achieve on the field and there have been moments where I’d liked to have done more,” he said.

“My game is nowhere near perfect.” Salford’s record eight-match winning run came to an end with an 18-12 defeat at Wigan in the first round of the playoffs despite Hastings’ best efforts.

“I think he’s been the best player in the comp,” Powell said. “He’s been superb. Blake Austin is close but, for me, I think he’s been better. We know it’s going to be tough. As long as we get after him, we’ll do our best to nullify his impact.” Hastings, who left the NRL under a cloud, is grateful to the Red Devils for helping him rebuild his career and even more indebted to his mother, Megan, who split up from his father Kevin Hastings, a former player with Sydney Roosters, when he was young and became a mentor for her son.

“My mum has always been there for me,” he said. “She’s really old school. “She said no matter what happens just go out there and compete to the best of your ability. Hopefully I’ve done myself proud in that aspect of the game because that’s what you build your foundations on.”