James Maloney speaks out after being sacked by the Cowboys following a drink-driving charge on the eve of the NRL finals campaign
- James Maloney sacked by North Queensland Cowboys
- He says he is disappointed in himself because of this affair.
- Maloney says he has no hard feelings toward Cowboys
Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney has spoken out after being sacked by North Queensland following a drink-driving charge.
The incident follows an incident involving police just days before the Cowboys’ Round 27 clash with the Bulldogs in Sydney this weekend.
Maloney was arrested for alleged drunk driving and immediately cut ties with the club.
Cowboys football boss Michael Luck has confirmed Maloney, a key assistant to head coach Todd Payten, was sacked on the eve of the NRL grand final.
“James left our employment,” Luck said.
“It’s an amicable split. He’s a staff member, so we won’t be making any further comment.”
Maloney has since confirmed he has left the club and holds no ill will towards the Cowboys.
“It was just a low-range charge, it wasn’t excessively high,” he told News Corp.
Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney speaks out after being fired
This follows an off-field incident involving police (James Maloney is pictured, with his wife Jess)
“The club’s position was that in my role as leader and coach, this was not acceptable.
“Personally, I am disappointed with myself because my mistake has become a distraction for the club at this time of year.
“We unfortunately don’t do a normal job and things like this are unacceptable in the NRL.”
A championship winner with the Roosters and Sharks, Maloney 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 a spell in the British Super League with Catalans and lower-division French rugby league.
In 2022, Maloney was fired by French club Lezignan after testing positive for cocaine.
Maloney says he has no hard feelings towards the club and is disappointed in himself
Club president Alain Fabre called cocaine a “scourge for all of society.”
“No one is beyond his reach,” he said at the time.
“Unfortunately, we can’t be behind all the players to monitor what they do when they are not at the club.”
Returning to Australia, Maloney took a consulting job with the Roosters before moving his family to Townsville.
Maloney made 247 NRL appearances in 11 seasons at five clubs and also represented New South Wales and Australia during a decorated career.
