James Maloney produces rocks and diamonds performance with busted thumb

JAMES Maloney threw two intercepts. Missed 10 tackles. Made nine. And all while playing with a broken thumb he wonderfully described afterwards as “just a little somethin’ somethin’”.

JAMES Maloney threw two intercepts.

Missed 10 tackles.

Made nine.

And all while playing with a broken thumb he wonderfully described afterwards as “just a little somethin’ somethin’”.

But guess what?

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James Maloney had a mixed night against the Raiders. (AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)

When the moment came that mattered — with seven minutes to play and Penrith down by three, after being down by 14 at the break — it was the Panthers No. 6 who demanded the Steeden, went left, then threw the pass that found winger Josh Mansour and another incredible comeback win.

So who cares if everyone reckons said pass was forward?

“I thought it was sweet,” Maloney shrugged. “I haven’t seen it again yet but I didn’t think it was forward when I threw it.”

Better, referee Matt Cecchin didn’t either.

Nor the touchie.

Throw in some 13,000 Panthers fans too.

So chalk another one up to the Cardiac Kids.

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Maloney said after the game he played with a broken thumb. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

For only a week after trailing the Manly Sea Eagles by 18 points with 13 minutes to play — and winning — Penrith have gone and doubled down at home, albeit against a Canberra side for whom losing close ones is now something of a birthmark.

And as has so often been the case this year, it was Maloney who emerged the hero.

Sure, the 83kg playmaker missed more tackles than the rest of his backline combined. And twice threw passes that found Raiders opposite Aidan Sezer.

But when it mattered, Maloney delivered.

He almost always does.

Not only throwing the pass that put his side ahead with minutes to play, but then crossing himself with roughly 90 seconds on the clock to seal the deal.

And because of that, Penrith remain in fifth spot — and still chance of finishing top four — following an afternoon where Tyrone Peachey bagged a double from fullback, Billy Kikau was involved in everything bar cooking the sausage sandwiches and Mansour was again taken from the field.

Maloney secured the win with a late try. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

This time, for a facial cut caused by a wayward Jordan Rapana elbow.

And if only we had space to dissect the afternoon of that Raiders winger and his centre partner Joey Leilua — aka Leipana.

By our count, the duo scored four, bombed two and were responsible for conceding at least a couple themselves.

At one point, and after his jersey was ripped open, Rapana even tied it around his waist and went to play on shirtless.

At which point Cecchin said, um, no.

It was that sort of day.

“Weird old game,” Panthers coach Anthony Griffin agreed afterwards. “It wasn’t pretty but there would be a lot more to worry about if we were having ugly losses.”

And as for what he said at the break?

The Panthers playmaker is vital to the club’s title credentials. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“Believe in ourselves,” the coach continued. “Obviously we had to tighten our defence up but we’d been on the (wrong) end of a possession count … so we just had to keep attacking and not let the scoreboard get into our heads.

“And we kept coming all night.

“Our intent kept building and we played some good direct football when we got our possession. To the boys credit they stuck at the task.

“We’d prefer to get it done a little better but we’re getting it done. And we’re building.”

And as for the man credited with having the shortest memory in rugby league? Did he always feel like the Panthers were coming home?

“It did tonight, yeah,” Maloney said.

And as for the fact he’s currently playing with a small break in his thumb?

“Ah, it’s just a little somethin’ somethin’,” he grinned. “It’s right.”

Originally published as James Maloney produces rocks and diamonds performance with busted thumb