NRL great James Maloney sacked by Cowboys on eve of finals after drink driving charge
Updated . First published at
Rugby league great James Maloney has been let go by North Queensland less than a fortnight before NRL finals.
Wide World of Sports can confirm Maloney has left his role as assistant coach with immediate effect.
"James Maloney has left the club. It was very amicable and the club wishes him all the best," a spokesperson told Wide World of Sports.
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News Corp is reporting Maloney was sacked by North Queensland following a drink driving charge over the weekend.
Queensland Police sent a statement to Wide World of Sports.
"At around 6:30pm on August 30, police intercepted a vehicle at a static roadside breath test site on Boundary Street, Railway Estate. It is alleged the driver, a 38-year-old Idalia man, returned a positive breath alcohol concentration of 0.08," it said.
North Queensland Cowboys assistant coach James Maloney with head coach Todd Payten. Getty
"The man was charged with 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."
A contrite Maloney spoke to News Corp about the incident.
"I'm disappointed, what can I say," Maloney told News Corp.
"It was only a low range charge, it wasn't excessively over.
"But the club's position was that in my role as a leader and in coaching, it wasn't acceptable.
"I've got no ill-will towards the Cowboys."
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It means Todd Payten has lost one of his key staff less than two weeks before the team begins its finals campaign.
Maloney, 38, won two NRL premierships - with the Roosters in 2013 and Sharks in 2016 - across 247 games in Australia before finishing his career in the Super League.
He was also a key player for Penrith in the seasons before Nathan Cleary assumed the No.7 jumper and led the Panthers to three straight premierships.
