Off-contract playmaker Jackson Hastings has explained that he would ‘love to stay’ at the club for 2027, despite being named on the club’s list of departing players.

Earlier in the month, St Helens confirmed that Jackson Hastings was one of eight players to be leaving the club at the end of the year, but speaking on the Nova Sport podcast, the Australian has expressed his intent to remain at the club.

Hastings also revealed that prior to signing for the 2026 season, he had been offered a two-year deal but he didn’t believe it reflected his value, thus he penned a one-year deal in the hope of securing an extension.

So far, that hasn’t happened, but he told the Nova Sport podcast: “I would love to stay,” when asked about his future.

If he were to stay at St Helens, he would be playing under incoming head coach Kevin Walters, with Hastings confirming that his manager is in contact with the Australian.

Hastings revealed: “I spoke to him briefly over text. I was trying to organise to catch up with him when he came over and he had to sort out where he was living, team lists, meet all the staff, so I didn’t get a chance to meet him.

“I think [my] manager is talking to him at the moment and just seeing what’s there. I’d obviously love to stay, I’ve heard a lot that I’m not staying, but I’d love to stay and hopefully be there for a longer period.”

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St Helens’ stay the preference for Jackson Hastings

Hastings, who made 22 appearances throughout the 20276 Super League season and registered 29 assists during that time, admitted that he’s unsure where he will be playing in 2027 but he did make it clear that he wishes to remain at St Helens.

“At this stage, I don’t know if I will be there,” he said, adding: “As I said, I would like to be there but at this stage, it doesn’t look very likely so hopefully, something can get worked out.

“Definitely from our end trying [to sort a new deal], I don’t know how reciprocated that would be.”

He was also asked what his stance would be on staying if he were either a back-up or was asked to play a different role, to which he responded: “If I got some understanding on what role I’d be and why then that would be a completely different conversation. It’s hard to answer.

“I’m a half-back, I want to be a half-back, but sometimes you have those hard discussions and if they have that with me, which they haven’t, then I’d be open to having that conversation but it’s up to them to talk to me about it.”

One club he won’t be going to is Leeds Rhinos despite his strong personal relationship with the club’s sporting director Ian Blease, with Hastings confirming that there was ‘not a single thing’ in the reports.

He’d add: “Everyone always thinks I’m going to go to Leeds but they’ve got a young kid, George Brown, who is going to be a really good player.”