The Jackson Hastings situation was a ticking time bomb at Manly and the play-making utility will probably not be considered for first grade this year, says coach Trent Barrett.

Barrett called a snap press conference on Wednesday morning at Sea Eagles training, confirming there had been two separate incidents between Hastings and captain Daly Cherry-Evans this month.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s got to this. But I will say the club has certainly done everything possible over the past 12 months to try and avoid it. But we made a decision to put Jackson back to Blacktown,” Barrett said.