The Sharks have today signed 2013 NSW State of Origin five-eighth James Maloney on a three-year deal.
An experienced and talented playmaker, as emphasised by his NSW selection and Premiership success at the Roosters, Maloney will be a valuable addition to Coach Shane Flanagan’s Sharks squad from 2016.
“James is a quality addition to our 2016 roster, with his attacking flair and general play kicking first class,” Flanagan said.
“That’s not forgetting he is an elite goal kicker and I look forward to him joining our club.
“He has indicated to me today that he is looking forward to joining up with and playing alongside experienced forwards in our club like Gallen, Lewis, Graham Ennis and Fifita.
“And he is even more excited about playing with our emerging talented juniors and young stars such as Val Homes, Jack Bird, Sosaia Feki and Ricky Leutele.”
Maloney began his NRL career in 2009 with the Melbourne Storm before coming of age after joining the Warriors in 2010, where he would go on to play 75 NRL games over three seasons.
He then signed with the Sydney Roosters in 2013, playing a starring role in their Premiership triumph that same year, creating two tries and scoring 10 points in the 26-18 Grand Final win over Manly.
Hailing from Orange in regional NSW, Maloney has played 135 NRL games and three times for NSW in the Origin arena. Also an extremely competent goal-kicker, in 2014 alone Maloney kicked 106 goals at an impressive 83.5 per cent success rate.
Maloney’s signing complements a Sharks roster which includes fellow Origin representatives Luke Lewis, Michael Ennis and Andrew Fifita, while negotiations are continuing to extend the contract of NSW and Sharks captain Paul Gallen beyond the current season.
As explained by Flanagan, Maloney’s experience will be a huge boost to the host of Sharks young backline stars from 2016.
James Maloney:
Age: 29 (DOB: 15/06/1986)
Height: 176cm
Weight: 83kg
NRL Debut: (for Melbourne Storm, vs Penrith @ Olympic Park, 2009)
NRL Matches: 144
NSW Country Origin Representative (2013, 2015 – 2 games)
NSW Origin Representative (2013 - 3 Games)
2011 Grand Finalist
2013 Premiership Winner
