‘The best field session we’ve ever had’: James Maloney makes instant impact as Cowboys look to bounce back from failed campaign

James Maloney has emerged as a key cog in North Queensland’s coaching department after the former NRL star made an immediate impact at pre-season training.

James Maloney is a changed man as he begins life as an assistant coach with the Cowboys. Picture: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images

They won a premiership together in the halves, but Cowboys playmaker Chad Townsend says James Maloney is no longer a “larrikin” after the former rep star proved how valuable he can be as an assistant coach in the NRL.

The pair teamed up to help the Sharks end their premiership drought in 2016 and have reunited, with Maloney coming back to Australia after a decorated playing career.

James Maloney and Chad Townsend won a title together, but they face a new challenge with the former five-eighth returning to the NRL as an assistant coach. Picture: Mark Evans

The 37-year-old won premierships with the Roosters and Sharks and has joined North Queensland to lead their attack, which looked unstoppable at times in 2023 but fell away as they lost four of their final five matches to miss the top eight.

Maloney left the NRL in 2019 following two seasons with Penrith and spent the next two years playing for Catalans in the English Super League, helping them to the 2021 grand final that they lost to St Helens.

The former representative five-eighth spent time with Lezignan in the French league where he had a player-coach role that has given him some experience before his move to the Cowboys where he’s working under Todd Payten.

“I remembered him as a teammate and he was a bit of a larrikin,” Townsend told SEN.

“Now looking at him as a coach, it’s different.

“I’ve had a chat with him and (it’s clear) how he wants us to play footy.

“We had a field session the other day and it was the best field session we’ve ever had because ‘Jimmy’ was throwing up ideas in attack.

“The big thing is that he’s a winner and he’s got such an intelligent footy brain.

“That’s why the club is so excited to have him here because he’s so calm in big games.

“Jimmy is also very competitive and he always makes everyone around him play better.”

The Cowboys are looking to return to the finals next year, with a Queensland derby against the Dolphins waiting for them in round 1. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

North Queensland finished the season with the ninth-best attack (546 points) despite boasting weapons like Valentine Holmes, Scott Drinkwater, Tom Dearden and Jeremiah Nanai.

They’ll be hoping Maloney’s experience makes them a force again, with the Cowboys to open their new season with a showdown against fellow Queensland side the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on March 10.

Originally published as ‘The best field session we’ve ever had’: James Maloney makes instant impact as Cowboys look to bounce back from failed campaign