North Queensland assistant coach James Maloney has been sacked by the club after being charged with drink driving in a blow to the Cowboys on the cusp of the NRL finals. The 38-year-old, who won premierships with the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla, joined the club this season after finishing his playing career in France. Maloney was booked for an alleged DUI over the weekend and has been axed by the club immediately. The Cowboys play the Bulldogs this weekend for the right to host a final in week one.
Cowboys general manager of football Micheal Luck confirmed to AAP on Wednesday morning that Maloney was no longer employed by the club. “The only thing I will say is that James has left our employment and it was a fairly amicable departure,” Luck said. “It is a staff matter so we won't be commenting any further.”
Maloney spoke to News Corp about his departure and said he was disappointed in himself but harboured “no ill-will towards the Cowboys”. “It was only a low range charge, it wasn't excessively over,” Maloney said. “The club's position was that in my role as a leader and in coaching, it wasn't acceptable. Personally I'm disappointed in myself that my mistake has become a distraction for the club at this time of the year. We're not in normal jobs unfortunately and things like this are unacceptable in the NRL.”
Maloney's Impact on the Cowboys
North Queensland has been impressive in attack this year and players have spoken of the positive impact Maloney has made in that regard. Fullback Scott Drinkwater said earlier this year that he had driven standards. “He is hard to please, Jimmy, which is good,” Drinkwater said. “There is always something to improve on. He has helped by changing a few things and making more blokes accountable – not just the halves and fullback about seeing stuff on the field – so everyone is looking up and talking.”
The Cowboys' Season
The sixth-placed Cowboys play Canterbury away on Saturday night where a win will secure them a home week one final. The team has been hoping to make a strong run in the finals after finishing last year ranked 10th. Maloney's departure is a setback, but the Cowboys are still hoping to make a deep run into the playoffs.
Looking Ahead
Maloney's sacking comes at a difficult time for the Cowboys, but they will need to move on quickly and focus on the task at hand. They have a strong team and will be looking to make a strong run in the finals. The Cowboys have a tough match against the Bulldogs, and they will need to be at their best to secure a home final. They are a talented team, but they will need to play with a lot of heart and determination to win the game.
The club has a lot of faith in its players and coaching staff, and they are confident that they will be able to overcome this setback. The Cowboys have the potential to win a premiership this year, and they will be looking to prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in the NRL.
The Future of James Maloney
Maloney's future is uncertain. He is facing one count of driving over the legal alcohol limit but not over the middle alcohol limit. He is due to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on September 24. While the Cowboys were quick to sack him, Maloney has said that he harbours “no ill-will towards the Cowboys”. He has a lot of experience and knowledge to offer, and he is sure to be in demand as a coach in the future. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to get back into coaching in the NRL or if he will move to another league. He could also choose to take some time away from the game to focus on his family and personal life.
Maloney has had a long and successful career, both as a player and as a coach. He has a lot to offer the game, and it will be interesting to see what he does next.
