Jackson Hastings has offered a glimpse of hope for long-suffering Wests Tigers NRL fans after helping the club to a 16-8 pre-season trial win over Sydney Roosters.
On a bad night for props on both sides on the Central Coast with both James Tamou and Lindsay Collins facing potential bans, five-eighth Hastings stood out.
The Tigers recruit had good touches throughout, before sealing the match for the Tigers when he put Alex Seyfarth over in the dying minutes.
The Roosters were playing without six starters including captain James Tedesco and Luke Keary, while they lost Sam Walker late in the first half after a head knock.
But still the signs were positive for the Tigers a fortnight out from their season-opener against Melbourne, with Hastings sound in his second game for the club.
He was busy throughout, while his effort to put Seyfarth through a hole came after he went to the line and put on a nice ball.
Hastings will start the season at five-eighth with Adam Doueihi injured, before he is expected to move to lock as a ball-playing middle.
Luciano Leilua also looked good in the lead-up to his final NRL season for the Tigers before heading to North Queensland, with some strong runs and a late try.
Meanwhile, both Tamou and Collins face nervous waits after being placed on report for attacking the legs of opponents.
Tigers co-captain Tamou was the first to infringe, pulled up in just the second minute when he took out the legs of Sam Walker on a kick.
It started a big night for Walker, who later bust down field in the lead up to a Kevin Naiqama try before his night ended early due to a head knock.
Roosters prop Collins then found himself in hot water for a cannon-ball tackle on Hastings in the second half.
The incident came in the Queensland State of Origin prop's first match back from last year's season-ending ACL injury.
The Roosters would dearly want him deck for the opening rounds, with games against Newcastle and Manly in their opening fortnight.
