Monday Buzz: Penrith’s James Maloney frontrunner for buy of the year

HE’S up against a cracking field that includes Blake Green and Ben Hunt but after six rounds of the season, Penrith’s James Maloney’s is shaping as this year’s best buy.

James Maloney of the Panthers runs with the ball during the round six NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Gold Coast Titans

IF there was a betting market on a Dally M buy-of-the-year, the bookies would be paying out early after six rounds on Panthers five-eighth James Maloney.

And he’s up against a crack field — Ben Hunt at the Dragons, Blake Green at the Warriors, Kayln Ponga at the Knights and Benji Marshall at the Wests Tigers to mention a few.

Maloney’s performance against the previously in-form Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon was simply stunning. A glorious exhibition of halfback skill, direction and game management.

It was this time last year that Panthers coach Anthony Griffin told the rugby league world: “Anyone who tipped the Penrith Panthers to win the premiership have got no idea about football.”

BUZZ: Highlights, lowlights

James Maloney is shaping as the buy of the year.

Well, that was before Jimmy Maloney arrived at the foot of the mountains and suddenly turned a clunky Penrith attack into a slick, beautifully co-ordinated unit with a mixture of power and speed.

How ironic that he returns home to Shark Park next Sunday to line up against a struggling Matt Moylan, who he swapped clubs with during the off-season after a dispute over his earnings.

Maloney is the ultimate big match player.

If Penrith continue with their early season form, Maloney could become the first player in rugby league history to play in four grand finals at four different clubs — the Warriors, the Roosters, the Sharks and the Panthers.

And if they can win it, he would become only the second player after champion front-rower Glenn Lazarus to win three titles at three different clubs — the Raiders, the Broncos and Melbourne Storm.

The big improvement in Maloney’s game this year is his discipline.

Ben Hunt in action for the Dragons.

In 2016 he gave away 31 penalties. In 2017, 34 penalties.

This year after six games it’s only two penalties, considering the overall penalties in the game have risen so substantially in the referees’ crackdown.

Penrith supremo Phil Gould could not be more impressed.

“His experience and leadership have been great for our club,” Gould told me on Sunday.

“He knows the game, but more importantly, he plays the game that he believes will suit those around him. “We are lucky to have him at Panthers.”

The fact he has played so superbly without boom halfback Nathan Cleary make his contribution even more impressive.

There is no doubt this Penrith side is a genuine premiership contender.

And what a performance of coach Anthony Griffin.

Cast your mind back to the beginning of the season. The terrible trial match loss to the Bulldogs.

The stories that Bryce Cartwright, Moylan and Tyrone Peachey wanted out because they didn’t like him. The stories that he had six weeks to prove himself or he was gone.

And the journalist who got banned from Penrith training for writing it.

What a turnaround.

Originally published as Monday Buzz: Penrith’s James Maloney frontrunner for buy of the year