Dual NRL premiership winner James Maloney will reunite with former Cronulla teammates Chad Townsend and Valentine Holmes when he joins North Queensland as an assistant coach.
The 37-year-old, who won the 2013 title with Sydney Roosters and the 2016 grand final alongside Holmes and Townsend at the Sharks, has inked a two-year deal to work alongside head coach Todd Payten.
Maloney will join Justin Morgan and Ben Rauter in the Cowboys’ assistant coaching ranks where he will specialise in working on the side’s attack.
The creative playmaker retired from playing rugby league in May of this year after a stint as a player-coach in the French Elite One competition with Lezignan.
That was after two seasons and 42 games with UK Super League outfit Catalans, following his 247 NRL appearances with Melbourne, the Warriors, Roosters, Sharks and Penrith.
Maloney, who also played 14 games for NSW and three times for Australia, is renowned for his rugby league nous and ability to pick apart an opposition defence.
It is those qualities, along with his recent playing experience in the modern game, that attracted the Cowboys.
“We are excited at the prospect of the new dimension James will add to our program,” Cowboys general manager of football Micheal Luck said.
“With an experienced assistant in Justin Morgan coming on board this year, we made the decision to target a younger coach with recent experience on the field to focus on our attack.
“We met with Jimmy in Townsville last week and we were impressed with how he presented and the ideas he had to improve our team.
“He will be an excellent sounding board for our spine, in particular our young halves in Tom Dearden, Tom Duffy and Jake Clifford.”
The Cowboys will play their first games of 2024 in the NRL’s Pre-Season Challenge in February against Brisbane in Mackay and Canberra in Queanbeyan.
The side, which finished a disappointing 11th in 2023, open the NRL regular season against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure signing Maloney to a 2 year deal is a good move. It's not that hard to talk a good game and highlight the positives, but Maloney had more than a few run-ins as a player, so I'd be wanting to see what changes he makes to those he coaches before committing to anything more than 12 months. I hope he goes well and can make a real go of it. The code badly needs more quality coaches.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Hope he goes well, could be great for Dearden. I just have a question mark about his discipline and patience- was always voted by team mates as the biggest pest.
dogs
Roar Rookie
According to wikipedia the Lezignan finished 3rd with him as playter-coach (although article does not say if he was head coach or assistant).
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Blokes a winner, competitor, and tough, and questioned coaches, can not see a negative. Expect Morgan and Maloney will challenge and push harder than Young and Georgallis
mushi
Roar Guru
If you’ve seen him off field though it’s obvious why he constantly changed clubs. Not a terrible bloke by any stretch but a white ant to discipline and a constant distraction when coaches were talking. I’m staggered he wants to do this. I couldn’t think anything further removed from what seemingly made him happy
Phil
Roar Rookie
He was a very smart player, good footy brain. Now he has to impart his nous onto players. I hope he makes a success of it.
3 R M
Roar Rookie
Well it's better than no one