Cronulla formulate a plan to counter the James Maloney effect in preliminary final clash with Penrith

ONCE a week, Cronulla’s brains trust lock themselves away to devise a strategy to destroy their opponents. This week, you can bet one man was on their minds more than anyone else.

There’s no point trying to wind James Maloney up. (Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

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YOU can bet your house that the player on everyone’s lips during this week’s meeting of Cronulla’s spine is Penrith’s James Maloney.

Once a week, the Sharks’ brains trust — including the fullback, five-eighth, halfback and hooker — lock themselves away from the rest of the playing group to pick apart their opponents and devise a plan to destroy their rival.

This week’s meeting is more important than most with a place in the preliminary finals on the line.

Having played and won an NRL title with Maloney during his time at the Shire club, halfback Chad Townsend knows blunting the five-eighth’s influence will increase his side’s chances of victory over Penrith on Friday night.

There’s no point trying to wind James Maloney up. (Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

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“We know his game pretty well having played with him for a while,” he said.

“We know what he possesses and we need to make sure we do a good job on limiting his opportunity and shut him down but they also have other weapons offensively and a really good halfback.”

But one tactic that will not be on the agenda is the “niggle”.

Townsend concedes trying to throw Maloney off his game by getting under his skin is a waste of time.

“If you [sledge] him he just laughs and smiles back at you,” he said.

“He’s one a kind to be honest. I haven’t seen him lose his cool, I’ve seen people lose their cool at him but that’s about it.”

Townsend concedes Maloney needs special attention. (Brett Costello)

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has been forced to tinker with his spine at different stages this season due to injuries and player form. Matt Moylan’s addition into the backline also meant combinations took a little longer to come together.

Halfback Townsend says the weekly spine gathering has helped to nurture the kind of fluency needed for the side’s attacking weapons to gel.

The Sharks have had to adjust their game. (Brett Costello)

“It might be early in the morning before training or we stay back after training, our 6,7,9 and 1, meet regularly and talk about how we want to play with our coaching staff,” he said.

“That’s where we nut out our game plan and how we want to play and that’s helped us stay on the same page all season.”

“It’s not easy to form a combination with a new player and it does take time.”

Townsend says the meetings are a collaborative environment where the players are encouraged to share ideas and raise any issues.

“We promote discussion between everyone on how we want to play,” he said.

“If someone has a question or doesn't like something they raise it they say it. We promote open discussion with our coaching staff and that’s really helped us in terms of forming combinations.”

Shane Flanagan and Michael Ennis have the plan. (Brett Costello)

Superstar fullback Valentine Holmes has not only found his voice on the field this year but has been just as vocal off it.

He says he’s no longer afraid to “hold back” or share his opinions.

“If it’s about me or if I have something I want to say I’ll say it,” he said.

“I’m not shy anymore and I don’t hold back what I want to say. All the boys know that, Flanno knows that and that’s one thing why I think have been playing better.

“I feel more confident with myself whether its on the field or off the field.”

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Originally published as Cronulla formulate a plan to counter the James Maloney effect in preliminary final clash with Penrith