James Maloney will become just the fourth playmaker to play finals football at four different clubs, but insists he and Penrith are still on track to create bigger NRL history.
A proven winner come September, the NSW five-eighth is back and fit for this year’s finals series following a number of problems since State of Origin.
Saturday’s elimination final against the Warriors will be Maloney’s 19th finals match since his debut for Melbourne in 2009, but his first as a captain at the Panthers.
It equals a mark set by Brett Kimmorley, Brett Finch and Jason Smith – all playmakers who have played for four clubs in finals football.
But Maloney said despite his vast experiences and settings, very little changed at each club come September.
“Finals footy is still finals footy,” Maloney said.
“It changes when you get to different clubs (at the start of the year) and you’re playing different styles, but finals footy never changes.
“You’ve still got to play good footy and get everything right on the day.”
Maloney is already the only player to guide three separate clubs to grand finals in the halves, having down so in his first seasons at the Warriors in 2011, Sydney Roosters in 2013 and Cronulla in 2016.
A repeat effort in his first year at Penrith would break an even bigger record, given no player in any position has ever played in four grand finals at four separate clubs.
Such a triumph looked far more attainable when the Panthers were flying at the top of the ladder at the competition’s halfway point, but they have since stuttered through the back-half of the year.
Ex-coach Anthony Griffin became part of that damage, while Maloney himself missed a fortnight with a knee injury before returning in last week’s away win over the depleted Storm.
And the five-eighth insisted he’d seen enough to know the Panthers could return to their best, starting this weekend.
“I think the whole time we always said the goal of the season is to put yourself in the finals and in a position where you can play your best footy,” he said.
“I think we’re there. There’s no excuses for us not playing our best on Saturday.
“We know what we’ve got to do, there’s nothing that bothers me that we won’t play our best.”
Paul
Roar Guru
If the REAL Warriors turn up on the weekend, you'll be kicking yourself for not getting set.
kk
Roar Pro
When the cameras visited the sheds it showed that the trenches will be manned by some exuberant and confident soldiers in the sudden death play off against the Warriors. I was stunned to see the PP @ $1.71. The hyphens have to produce their best of the season. At $2.15 the Warriors represent value but I will not bet.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Just not sure he has all the quality troops he needs this time ? A fair bit of cannon fodder for mine, especially with his back 3 that the Warriors flanking panzer division will likely target on Saturday.
kk
Roar Pro
Jimmy Maloney is the greatest Field Marshall to have ever played Rugby League.
Paul
Roar Guru
You could interview the other 7 captains and the words coming from them would be virtually the same as this. Not sure what value this article adds to finals week.