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MOST avoid shadows, especially when they are cast by rugby league *giants. Not Jackson Hastings.
The son of Eastern Suburbs legends Kevin "Horrie'' Hastings has revealed he knocked back four clubs to sign with the Roosters because he wants to follow in his famous father's footsteps rather than sidestep them as has been the NRL trend.
While players like Mitchell Pearce and Daniel Mortimer dodged playing for the clubs that made their family name, the 17 year-old son of a gun has declared: "I want to be just like dad''.
Hastings, the most sort after teenager in the game, will join the premiers next year as an understudy to Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Jake Friend. And the prospect of being compared to his father is something the halfback is looking forward to rather than attempting to avoid.
"I don't see following Dad as a hindrance,'' Jackson said.
"Others see it that way but I am very proud of what he did. He is probably known as the greatest player that never played for Australia.
"I think most Roosters fans would know him and they will compare me to him. But it is up to me to try and live up to those expectations.
"I will work hard to carve out my own career, but I won't be looking to avoid my name.''
Considered to be the best prospect in the Illawarra junior system, the Dragons have lost the player Steve Price earmarked as an 18-year-old first grader, in part, because of the family link.
"Horrie" made his debut for the Roosters in 1976 and went on to become the club's favourite son after a 239 game career with the Tricolours. A stand at Alliance Stadium is named in Hastings' honour. Jackson not only wants to make his debut at the very same ground, he also wants to do it as a teenager, just like Dad.
"I would love to beat him,'' Jackson said. "Doing it at 18 sounds good to me. But honestly I have a lot ahead of me. My first goal is to develop my body and work on my weight. I am still young and I need to work hard on my strength and listen to the people who know best.''
It was not just his Dad's legacy that drew "Horrie'' version 1.2 to the Roosters. Strangely, it was also because of the prospect of fighting the likes of Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Jake Friend for an NRL spot.
"They are a big part of the reason I joined the Roosters,'' Jackson said.
"I want to learn as much as I can off them and I know they can help me become the best player I can be. The Roosters won the competition and they have so many great players. I know I will have earned my spot if I am lucky enough to get a crack.''
Hastings moved to America when Jackson was 9. He credits his mother Megan and manager Sam Ayoub with much of his development.
"I wouldn't be here without her,'' Jackson said. "She took me to training, to games, and even coached my team one year.''
Despite the distance, Jackson also remains close to his father. He is hoping Kevin Hastings will be sitting, well … in the Kevin Hastings stand when he makes his NRL debut.
"That would be a dream,'' Jackson said. "I don't think it is something he would miss.''
http://www.news.com.au/national/son-...-1226751942840
The son of Eastern Suburbs legends Kevin "Horrie'' Hastings has revealed he knocked back four clubs to sign with the Roosters because he wants to follow in his famous father's footsteps rather than sidestep them as has been the NRL trend.
While players like Mitchell Pearce and Daniel Mortimer dodged playing for the clubs that made their family name, the 17 year-old son of a gun has declared: "I want to be just like dad''.
Hastings, the most sort after teenager in the game, will join the premiers next year as an understudy to Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Jake Friend. And the prospect of being compared to his father is something the halfback is looking forward to rather than attempting to avoid.
"I don't see following Dad as a hindrance,'' Jackson said.
"Others see it that way but I am very proud of what he did. He is probably known as the greatest player that never played for Australia.
"I think most Roosters fans would know him and they will compare me to him. But it is up to me to try and live up to those expectations.
"I will work hard to carve out my own career, but I won't be looking to avoid my name.''
Considered to be the best prospect in the Illawarra junior system, the Dragons have lost the player Steve Price earmarked as an 18-year-old first grader, in part, because of the family link.
"Horrie" made his debut for the Roosters in 1976 and went on to become the club's favourite son after a 239 game career with the Tricolours. A stand at Alliance Stadium is named in Hastings' honour. Jackson not only wants to make his debut at the very same ground, he also wants to do it as a teenager, just like Dad.
"I would love to beat him,'' Jackson said. "Doing it at 18 sounds good to me. But honestly I have a lot ahead of me. My first goal is to develop my body and work on my weight. I am still young and I need to work hard on my strength and listen to the people who know best.''
It was not just his Dad's legacy that drew "Horrie'' version 1.2 to the Roosters. Strangely, it was also because of the prospect of fighting the likes of Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Jake Friend for an NRL spot.
"They are a big part of the reason I joined the Roosters,'' Jackson said.
"I want to learn as much as I can off them and I know they can help me become the best player I can be. The Roosters won the competition and they have so many great players. I know I will have earned my spot if I am lucky enough to get a crack.''
Hastings moved to America when Jackson was 9. He credits his mother Megan and manager Sam Ayoub with much of his development.
"I wouldn't be here without her,'' Jackson said. "She took me to training, to games, and even coached my team one year.''
Despite the distance, Jackson also remains close to his father. He is hoping Kevin Hastings will be sitting, well … in the Kevin Hastings stand when he makes his NRL debut.
"That would be a dream,'' Jackson said. "I don't think it is something he would miss.''
http://www.news.com.au/national/son-...-1226751942840
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