- Was in the first year of a two-year deal with the NRL club
- Former player had just commenced his coaching career
- Faces uncertain future after losing his job in the first year
Former Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney faced a drink driving charge in Townsville Magistrates Court after being stopped at a random breath test (RBT) last month.
The 38-year-old represented himself in court and pleaded guilty to driving over the general alcohol limit with a blood alcohol reading of 0.08 per cent.
Maloney explained to police that he had consumed alcohol shortly before being pulled over at the RBT site on Boundary Street, Railway Estate on August 30.
Despite the typical penalty being a two-month disqualification, the police prosecutor noted that Maloney had already faced ‘extra-curial punishment’ by losing his job with the Cowboys.
Maloney, who had just joined the Cowboys coaching staff on a two-year contract, was swiftly dismissed following the charge.
His departure from the club was described as ‘amicable’ by the Cowboys.
Former NRL star James Maloney was sacked by the North Queensland Cowboys as an assistant coach after being charged with drink driving
The premiership-winning playmaker was in the first year of a two-year deal at the Cowboys
Magistrate Kenneth Taylor acknowledged Maloney’s lack of traffic history but emphasised that drink driving ‘endangers not only yourself but every other road user.’
Maloney was fined $300 and had his license suspended for one month, with no conviction recorded.
Maloney had a distinguished NRL career, playing as a five-eighth for several clubs including the Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla Sharks, and Penrith Panthers.
He was known for his playmaking skills and was instrumental in winning premierships with the Roosters in 2013 and the Sharks in 2016.
Maloney had a decorated playing career and represented his state and his country
Maloney also represented New South Wales in State of Origin 14 times and played three Tests for Australia.
Previously, he took full accountability for his actions and agreed with the Cowboys’ decision.
‘But the club’s position was that in my role as a leader and in coaching, it wasn’t acceptable,’ he said.
‘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.
‘But when one door closes another one opens. We’ll see what happens.’
Maloney stayed on to keep working with the Cowboys halves for free after being sacked
To show there was no bad blood, Maloney continued to work with the Cowboys’ five-eighth Tom Dearden for free after he was sacked in a bid to have them in peak form for the NRL finals.
‘There’s no bad blood with the Cowboys,’ Maloney told SMH.
‘I didn’t leave on bad terms. They weren’t great terms, but I put myself in a position [and] they made a decision to let me go, and I respect that.
‘I’ve got a lot of time for Tommy. He’s so coachable and anything you tell him, he puts into practice the very next session. For most players, it takes a long time to break habits. But not with Tommy.’
