- North Queensland Cowboys sack James Maloney
- He says he is disappointed in himself over the matter.
- Maloney says he has no ill will toward the Cowboys
Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney has spoken out after being sacked by North Queensland following a drink-driving charge.
This comes after an incident involving police just days before the Cowboys’ round 27 clash with the Bulldogs in Sydney this weekend.
Maloney was booked for alleged drink driving and cut ties with the club immediately.
Cowboys football boss Michael Luck has confirmed Maloney, one of head coach Todd Payten’s key assistants, has been sacked on the eve of the NRL finals.
“James has left our employment,” Luck said.
“It’s an amicable separation. This is a member of staff, so we won’t be commenting further on it.”
Maloney has since confirmed that he has left the club and holds no ill will towards the Cowboys.
“It was just a low-range charge, it wasn’t excessive,” he said. News Corporation.
Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney has spoken out after being fired
An off-field incident involving police follows (pictured is James Maloney with his wife Jess).
‘The club’s position was that in my role as a manager and as a coach that was not acceptable.
‘Personally, I’m disappointed in myself that my mistake has become a distraction for the club at this time of year.
“Unfortunately we don’t have normal jobs and things like this are unacceptable in the NRL.”
Maloney, a title winner with the Roosters and Sharks, joined the Cowboys on a two-year deal last November.
The 37-year-old has been with the club since returning home late last year after stints in the UK Super League with the Catalans and lower-division French Rugby League.
In 2022, Maloney was suspended by French club Lezignan after testing positive for cocaine.
Maloney says he has no ill will towards the club and is disappointed in himself.
Club president Alain Fabre described cocaine as a “scourge for the whole of society.”
“No one is beyond your reach,” he said then.
“Unfortunately we can’t be behind all the players to supervise what they do when they’re not at the club.”
Once back in Australia, Maloney took on a consultancy role with the Roosters before moving his family to Townsville.
Maloney amassed 247 NRL appearances in 11 seasons at five clubs and also represented New South Wales and Australia in a decorated career.