Jackson Hastings development stuns NRL fans in huge win for the Knights

Newcastle Knights halfback Jackson Hastings has escaped serious injury and could be back this weekend for the clash against the Rabbitohs after Bulldogs star Jacob Preston was penalised for a hip-drop tackle. The Knights demolished the Bulldogs for the second time in the 2023 NRL season with a 42-6 win on Sunday.

The Knights retained their spot in the top 8 after the victory with a pivotal match against the Rabbitohs next week, but they will most likely head into the clash without halfback Hastings after he went off clutching at his ankle. Preston attempted to tackle Hastings, but swung around and landed on his right ankle.

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Preston was penalised and put on report with Hastings hobbling off in pain. "Oh no, no, no," Andrew Johns said in Channel Nine commentary. "That's a hip-drop," Billy Slater said after the replay. On Monday, Preston was charged with a hip-drop tackle from the NRL committee and is facing a season-ending three-game suspension.

Many feared it was the second time Hastings may have suffered what could have been a season-ending injury from a hip-drop tackle, after a similar incident involving Patrick Carrigan last year. Knights coach Adam O'Brien feared it could be the end of the halfback's season.

"It's not looking good," O'Brien said. "They're talking syndesmosis. Fingers crossed on that one, he'll get scans tomorrow." However, on Monday, scans ruled out serious injury to Hastings and there is a small chance he could line-up this weekend against the Rabbitohs in a vital clash for both clubs.

Knights likely to face Rabbitohs without Jackson Hastings

Newcastle have won six consecutive games but likely need to claim two of their last three to guarantee the finals spot that looked out of reach when they sat 14th on the ladder in late June. Coming clashes with top-eight hopefuls South Sydney and Cronulla could be decisive.

Fans felt for Hastings after the tackle with many initially bemoaning his misfortune after a second injury from a hip-drop incident in as many years.

The Bulldogs fell behind 30-0 at half-time in scenes reminiscent of the 66-0 drubbing Newcastle inflicted on them in round 18. Some diabolically bad Canterbury defence did the rest of the work in establishing the half-time deficit. The Bulldogs were two tries down after nine minutes, after Dane Gagai and then Tyson Gamble scooted between Luke Thompson and Viliame Kikau for two of the softest four-pointers this season.

Incredibly, the Bulldogs enjoyed 16 more tackles in the red zone than the Knights but their only try came when Reed Mahoney barged over from dummy half late on. The closest the Bulldogs came to scoring in the first half was when Preston failed to ground the ball in-goal just before the break.

After his knock-on, Knights centre Enari Tuala made the most of the confusion as he picked up the ball and ran the length of the field for his own try. The Knights will be hoping Hastings will be back in time if they make the top 8.

with AAP

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