Monday Buzz: How Sharks signed James Maloney to kickstart surge to NRL grand final

MONDAY BUZZ: Cronulla’s surge for premiership glory began in a posh Woollahra cafe a year ago with three men and their lattes, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.

CRONULLA surge for premiership glory began in a posh Woollahra coffee shop more than 12 months ago with three men and their lattes.

One of those stylish cafes on Queen Street where rich housewives and trendy eastern suburbs types normally catch up to talk about their mansions, their yachts or shopping in Double Bay.

The last place you’d expect to find a knockabout country boy and a former suburban plumber talking all things football.

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Who would have thought this coffee catch-up at the Luxe cafe would lead to a battling rugby league club being on the verge of creating rugby league history and delivering the Cronulla Sharks’ first premiership in 50 years?

It was the morning in August last year when veteran player agent Wayne Beavis hosted a meeting with the coach and the player he manages.

On one side of the table, Sharks coach Shane Flanagan.

On the other side, Sydney Roosters five-eighth James Maloney.

James Maloney makes a break for the Sharks against the Cowboys.

From the first sip of their coffees it became obvious they needed each other.

Flanagan wanted to transform his then sluggish attacking outfit into a team that could score points.

He wanted someone who could engineer tries and deliver quality football to the likes of Jack Bird and Val Holmes.

Maloney needed a club after being shown the door by the Sydney Roosters.

“I was surprised he was even available,” Flanagan recalled.

“No disrespect to the Roosters but you don’t normally let players like Jimmy ­Maloney go.

“He is a real footballer who just lifts for the big games. He’s been a massive signing for us.”

Beavis recalls the meeting clearly.

He, like Flanagan, was surprised Maloney was even on the open market.

“We weren’t shopping him around because we thought he’d stay at the Roosters,” Beavis said.

James Maloney scores a try for the Sharks against the Cowboys.

“But they were worried that if they’d signed Jimmy, Jackson Hastings would leave.

“In the end Cronulla was just a nice fit. He could stay living where he was but it was a great opportunity.”

Sunday’s grand final against Melbourne Storm will be Maloney’s third appearance in a decider. He was in the Warriors’ 2011 team and the Roosters in 2013.

There is no question he has been the buy of the season.

Last year the Sharks scored 77 tries and 469 points. This year it’s jumped to 99 tries and 580 points. Maloney is the man most responsible.

Cronulla players swamp James Maloney after he scored his second try against the Cowboys. Picture: Gregg Porteous

The Sharks have always been renowned for being tough and gritty. But they were never going to win a premiership without throwing in the finesse and the flair.

“For all the joking around, he’s serious about his football,” ­Flanagan said.

“They say wherever Jimmy plays he only signs one contract because he wears coaches out.

“But he’s just an old-fashioned half who gets the job done in big games. You saw that in his performance against the Cowboys on Friday night.

“And I’m sure next weekend will be no different.”