Wigan Warriors' Jackson Hastings opens up on time he was 'in a massive hole'

The halfback, who joined Wigan from Salford ahead of this season, moved to Super League after a controversial exit from Manly midway through 2018.

He fell out of favour with Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett and a bust-up with Daly Cherry-Evans.

And speaking at the launch of his own new podcast, Behind the Athlete, he admits the turbulent time took its toll.

“I took a step backwards as a player, I was playing a lot of reserve grade at Manly, didn’t really get much of a chance in first grade and I was getting really down about it,” he says on the podcast.

“I talk a lot of mental health now but that was a time in my life I struggled a little bit.

“The ending at Manly wasn’t great, that put me in a massive hole. That year and a half was a really difficult period in my life.”

He moved to Salford at the end of 2018 and helped steer them to Super League safety before guiding them to a Grand Final the following year, ahead of a move to Wigan on a two-year deal as a marquee player.

“I look back on that time and I’m partly grateful for in a weird way because I’ve been able to to achieve so many things,” added the 24-year-old. “But at the time it was heartbreaking.”

Hastings has a two-year deal with Wigan but has a get-out clause allowing him to leave midway through for the NRL if he wants.

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