Tigers hero Jackson Hastings reveals the reason he broke down after kicking field goal

He delivered a much-needed Easter miracle for Wests Tigers on Monday – and now Jackson Hastings has revealed why he was so emotional at fulltime.

Playing his 50th match in the NRL, the 26-year-old nailed a clutch field goal in the 79th minute against Parramatta.

Seconds after watching the Steeden sail between the posts, Hastings was mobbed by his teammates and was then seen shedding a few tears.

With his mum Megan proudly watching on in the stands at Commbank Stadium, the enormity of what Hastings had achieved sunk in. 

‘I’m a massive mumma’s boy and she didn’t get to see me [play] live for three years… and in that time I achieved so much overseas,’ Hastings said after the epic 21-20 victory.

‘When I kicked it [the field goal] I just started pointing at her. I spotted her straight away in the crowd with her blonde, curly hair.’

The Tigers halfback made a beeline for his mother Megan (pictured together) following his on-field heroics

Hastings knew he had to produce for the Tigers, who were staring down the barrel of a 0-6 start to the season if they were beaten by the Eels.

In what was a see-sawing encounter, Hastings showed precisely why he should be running the show for Michael Maguire.

Barking instructions from start to finish and providing much-needed energy in attack and defence, he was also the perfect foil for under-pressure halves partner Luke Brooks.

Maguire was elated to see his new halfback battle his way through adversity and land the Tigers two competition points.

‘He’s had a fair journey, so it’s nice to see him succeed,’ he said.

‘Jackson’s really matured as a player, to be able to come up in the big moments like that, and be able to achieve what he did, it was nice for him.’  

Jackson Hastings reinvented himself in the English Super League following mixed stints in the NRL with the Roosters and Sea Eagles – but his mum couldn’t be there to see him excel

After dominating the English Super League with Salford and Wigan the past few seasons, Hastings is now living under the same roof as his family.

Craving stability away from footy, he is loving being around his relatives every day.  

It has been a massive turnaround in fortunes for Hastings, who had to reinvent himself overseas as a player and person following stints in the NRL with the Roosters and Sea Eagles. 

Hastings has described himself as a ‘massive mumma’s boy’ and was elated to share his big moment for the Tigers with his family

‘I couldn’t have been raised by a better mother,’ he told NRL.com. 

‘The footy has been unbelievable, coming back to the NRL, but being able to celebrate Christmas, birthdays and Easter with my loved ones, it means everything.’