Blues loss led to worst game Cronulla’s James Maloney has ever played

JAMES Maloney has revealed how NSW’s Origin II defeat left him mentally shot, culminating in his worst 80 minutes from a career spanning nine years.

ON any other day, he’s the prankster, the joker and the larrikin.

But the Blues’ devastating Origin II collapse left James Maloney mentally shot, culminating in his worst 80-minute performance in his nine-year career.

The NSW five-eighth has shed new light on how difficult it is for the 34 players involved in Origin to back up for their clubs.

Four days after surrendering a 16-6 lead to the Maroons in Origin II at ANZ Stadium, Maloney lined up for premiers Cronulla against Manly at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

The Sea Eagles hammered Cronulla in every facet to win 35-18 and Maloney admits he was horrible.

He missed six tackles, made four errors, had no linebreaks and conceded a penalty.

While the focus is often on what affect Origin has on a player physically when backing up for their club, Maloney said the greatest challenge is in the mind.

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James Maloney after losing game two. Picture. Phil Hillyard

“It took a bit for me to get over Origin II,’’ Maloney said.

“I was awful in the game after Origin II, against Manly. It was probably the worst game I’ve played ever. It was bad.

“It’s so hard. The difficult thing is, there’s such a massive build-up to Origin.

“The struggle is mental when you go back to a club match. You try and build yourself up to go again when in reality the scope is not even close to Origin.

“The mental battle is the hardest thing.

“Then when you add the disappointment of how game two panned out, that hurt.

“I probably wasn’t mentally in the right head space for the Manly game.’’

The 31-year-old’s multiple premierships and finals appearances prove he’s a winner who doesn’t stay on the canvas for long. He has a formula that works.

Cronulla teammates James Maloney and Wade Graham during Blues training.

And despite falling flat against the Sea Eagles, he didn’t doubt he would recover.

“I had no doubt I would bounce back, as you saw,’’ Maloney said. “We (Cronulla) played well on the weekend (beating the Roosters).

“I wasn’t too worried about it. All I was trying to do was work out why.

“And the mental side of it was what I came back to.’’

Cronulla face a difficult assignment against the Titans on the Gold Coast on Saturday.

And while Maloney said every player feels they owe their clubs to back up, he will assess his state of mind before declaring himself fit to play the Titans.

“As players we’ve all backed up before and each time you tell yourself you’ll be right,’’ Maloney said.

“We still have a contracts to abide to, I still have to turn up for the Sharks.

“Regardless of what has happened, that’s your job as a footballer to put that aside and turn up and do your job.’’