James Maloney’s potential exit leaves Cronulla Sharks without a first choice goal kicker
CRONULLA may secure a superstar in Matt Moylan with the potential James Maloney trade, but the swap will leave the Sharks wanting in a crucial area of the game.
NRL
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IT will be Shane Flanagan’s desperate search to find an 80 per cent first-string goal kicker. And it could make-or-break Cronulla’s season.
The Sharks coach will ask four makeshift goal kickers to step-up next season to replace the ever-accurate James Maloney.
The search, however, will be difficult.
The four contenders to replace Maloney as number one goal kicker are Josh Dugan, Val Holmes, Matt Moylan and Chad Townsend.
Each will be required to put in intense goal kicking training over the off-season.
Maloney’s impending decision to join Penrith will suddenly leave Cronulla without a regular top-flight goal kicker.
Dugan has kicked 24 goals from 43 attempts for a humble 55.8 per cent success rate.
Moylan has landed 29 from 47 for 61.7 per cent while Townsend has kicked 50 from 84 for 59.5 per cent.
Maybe Flanagan’s best option would be Holmes, who has kicked 23 from 32 for a 71.9 per cent success rate.
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None compare to Maloney, who has landed 707 career goals from 875 attempts for a sublime strike rate of 80.8 per cent.
And his success rate is even better at Cronulla, where he has kicked 165 goals from 202 attempts for 81.7 per cent.
In his 45 games at Cronulla, Maloney has scored 380 points - 8.4 per game - consisting of 11 tries, 165 goals and six field goals.
“If Jimmy leaves, we have options. Chad, Moylan - if he comes to us - Holmes, Dugan - they haven’t been number one goal kickers for a couple of years, they have all been part timers,” Flanagan said.
“They will have to step up and get more practice in – we’ll be fine in that area.
“They have always known that Jimmy has been around for the past couple of years. If there was an injury, they would do a bit of practice but it wasn’t their main focus.
“This will have to change their focus and one of them will be the main goal kicker.”
Reminded how important turning four points into six was at NRL level, Flanagan said: “One-hundred per cent, mate. You have to be in that 80 per cent zone. We have to see which one will take that role.”
The best goal kicker in the club is actually Flanagan’s son, Kyle, who is expected to make his NRL debut at some stage of next season.
Sharks officials hope to nail down the Moylan-Maloney swap sometime this week. Once Maloney’s deal with Penrith is finalised, the Sharks will grant him a release.
It is then that Cronulla can move on Moylan.
The Sharks have the financial capacity to lure Moylan and Mitch Pearce to the club for next season.
It is understood Cronulla has plenty of space in their salary cap to accommodate Pearce, should he leave the Sydney Roosters.
The Sharks aren’t heavily pursuing Pearce until they know the NSW State of Origin halfback definitely wants to quit the Roosters.
It would then come down to a battle for Pearce between Cronulla and Manly.
Should Pearce arrive at Shark Park, Flanagan would be blessed with options. He could play Pearce and Moylan in the halves with Holmes at fullback and Dugan in the centres.
Flanagan could also use Moylan at fullback and play Pearce and Townsend in the halves.
The loss of Jack Bird to Brisbane freed up room in Cronulla’s salary cap.
A group of Cronulla players will return to training on Monday.
NRL CAREER GOALKICKING STATS:
Josh Dugan 24/43 (55.8%)
Valentine Holmes 23/32 (71.9%)
James Maloney 707/875 (80.8%)
Matt Moylan 29/47 (61.7%)
Chad Townsend 50/84 (59.5%)
At Cronulla in 45 games Maloney has scored 380 points (8.4 per game), made up of 11 tries, 165 goals and six field goals.
His goal kicking at the Sharks is 165/202 (81.7%)
Originally published as James Maloney’s potential exit leaves Cronulla Sharks without a first choice goal kicker
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