The tri-colours will blood a new halves pairing for 2016 after premiership-winning pivot James Maloney signed with Cronulla. The Roosters briefly considered making a late play for Parramatta-bound Kieran Foran but didn't have the funds required under the salary cap to compete with the Eels.

In his short NRL career to date, Hastings has played a utility role similar to that of Daniel Mortimer at the club due to his ability to fill in anywhere in the spine. However, the 19 year old aims to partner NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce in the halves on a permanent basis next season.

"With Jimmy going I'm obviously put my hand up to play five-eighth and be in that team full time next year," Hastings said.

"There's a long way to go between now and then but I'll be doing everything in my power and training as hard as I can to wear the No.6 next year.

"Me and Pearcey are close, he's taken me under his wing since I got here. I'm looking forward, fingers crossed, to playing week in and week out with the best halfback in NSW.

"The club is full of history. It was pretty special wearing the seven, a lot of great players have worn that jersey as well, obviously [including]  my old man. But the six - [following] Brad Fittler, Braith Anasta, all of those sorts of fellas, would be pretty special if I get my chance to wear it.

"It's something I won't take for granted."

In joining the Roosters from St George Illawarra, Hastings followed in the footsteps of father Kevin 'Horrie' Hastings, who made all of his 239 appearances for the club in a career which culminated in a State of Origin appearance in 1983. However, the younger Hastings, who himself earned Blues selection in the under 20s interstate curtainraiser at Suncorp Stadium, paid tribute to his mother for helping him make the grade.

"Mum and dad split up when I was pretty young and obviously dad moved to America when I was a young fella," Hastings explained.

"Mum obviously had me and had to look also after my sisters. She gave up everything. She had a full time job but sacrificed, going to work until 11 o'clock at night just to make sure I got to and from training, making sure I whatever I need to play well on the weekend.

"This is under 11s and 12s and some people would say 'have a week off'. But mum would go to work at five in the morning until nine, watch me play footy at 10am and go to work from 11:30am until night.

"She gave up a lot. She didn't have much money either and made sure I had two pairs of boots. Some kids at that age aren't fortunate enough to have two pairs of boots and always played in the same pair. Mum made sure I had a good pair for training and for games and whenever they broke I had a fresh pair waiting.

"I can't thank my mother enough for what she did for me and she still does today. I haven't been able to buy her anything but now that I'm earning some money it's a good reward to be able to pay her back for everything for me."

One of Hastings' tattoos is in honour of his mother, Megan, whom he hopes to repay by buying her a house one day.

"She did whatever she had to do to make sure the three of us [siblings] had the best of everything," he said.

"I never had much money, I wasn't able to buy her any presents.

"Now at birthdays and Christmas I'm able to spoil her and see the joy on her face. It's like Christmas for myself. I don't ask for anything from my mum any more, I pay my own way.

"I'm just happy to buy some stuff for her and the ultimate goal is to buy her a house.

"I'm on my way there but the day I buy her a house is the day I repay her for everything she's done for me.

"We're really grateful and proud. Everyone would probably say this, but she's the best mum you could ever ask for."