Two-time NRL premiership winner James Maloney has been sacked from the North Queensland Cowboys’ coaching staff on the eve of the finals over a drink-driving charge.
The 38-year-old half retired last year and immediately joined North Queensland as an assistant, helping turn around their attack with the team sitting fifth in the league for tries scored after finishing last year ranked 10th.
But his coaching career has unravelled just days before the Cowboys’ return to the finals following a one-year absence.
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Maloney was charged following a roadside breath test at around 6.30pm last Friday, with police alleging he blew 0.08.
He said he harboured “no ill-will towards the Cowboys”.
“It was only a low-range charge, it wasn’t excessively over,” he told News Corp.
“The club’s position was that in my role as a leader and in coaching, it wasn’t acceptable.
“Personally I’m disappointed in myself that my mistake has become a distraction for the club at this time of the year.
“We’re not in normal jobs unfortunately and things like this are unacceptable in the NRL.”
Maloney is facing one count of driving over the legal alcohol limit but not over the middle alcohol limit.
He is due to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on September 24.
Cowboys general manager of football Micheal Luck confirmed Maloney was no longer employed by the club.
“The only thing I will say is that James has left our employment and it was a fairly amicable departure,” Luck told AAP on Wednesday.
“It is a staff matter so we won’t be commenting any further.”
Cowboys players have previously praised the positive impact Maloney had had on the club this year, saying he had driven high standards.
“He is hard to please, Jimmy, which is good,” Scott Drinkwater said.
“There is always something to improve on. He has helped by changing a few things and making more blokes accountable — not just the halves and fullback about seeing stuff on the field — so everyone is looking up and talking.”
Maloney started his playing career at the Melbourne Storm before making a name for himself at the New Zealand Warriors.
He won his first premiership after joining the Sydney Roosters in 2013 and made a similarly successful move to the Cronulla Sharks in 2016.
A NSW State of Origin regular who also represented the Kangaroos, he finished his NRL career with Penrith and later played in France with Catalans Dragons and FC Lezignan.
As an assistant coach, Maloney has helped Todd Payten’s Cowboys to sixth on the ladder with one game left to play.
They will play off for the right to host a home elimination final when they meet the fifth-placed Bulldogs on Saturday.
Maloney’s sacking has dampened a hopeful week that started with North Queensland announcing co-captain Reuben Cotter had signed a three-year contract extension.
Already secure until the end of next year, the Cowboys moved to lock down the 25-year-old State of Origin star knowing rivals would sense an opportunity.
But he said he was never going to leave.
“It was a no-brainer for myself and my family,” Cotter said.
“My wife is from the Burdekin and I am from Mackay so it made sense for me to stay here and I am very excited to extend with the club.
“I am extremely grateful for what has happened the last couple of years especially after what happened (with injuries) at the start of my career.
“I am excited for what we are building. I love playing alongside this group and what we are working towards … obviously a premiership.”
