James Maloney (born 15 June 1986) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played for FC Lezignan XIII in the Elite One Championship.
A or , Maloney also previously played for the Melbourne Storm, New Zealand Warriors, Sydney Roosters, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, and the Catalans Dragons in the Betfred Super League. He won the 2013 NRL Grand Final with the Roosters and the 2016 NRL Grand Final with the Sharks.
During his career, he was an Australian international and New South Wales State of Origin, Country Origin and Prime Minister's XIII representative.
Background
Maloney was born in Orange. His father, Brian Maloney, was a and captain-coach of Orange CYMS in country New South Wales.
Maloney played his junior rugby for the St Edwards Bears, Ourimbah Wyoming Magpies and the North Sydney Bears.
Playing career
Early career
Coming down from the Central Coast, Maloney first trialled with North Sydney Bears, playing with them in 2006. He then joined the Parramatta Eels in 2007 and helped the Wentworthville Magpies win the New South Wales Cup in 2008. He was a member of the NSW Cup team of the year in 2008. Despite Maloney's good form in the NSW cup over these two seasons, he failed to break into first grade and instead signed with the Melbourne Storm for the 2009 season.
2009
In 2009, Maloney moved to Melbourne and played for the Central Coast Storm in the NSW Cup. In Round 5 of the 2009 NRL season, Maloney made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the Penrith Panthers, playing at five-eighth in the 16–14 win at Olympic Park.
Maloney represented the NSW Residents in 2009 against the Queensland Residents. Despite good form at both NSW Cup and NRL level, Maloney was restricted to just 4 matches in the top grade in the 2009 NRL season, rival clubs were lining up to give Maloney a better opportunity in first grade and by season's end on 7 August 2009, Maloney had signed a 3-year deal with the New Zealand Warriors beginning in 2010.
2010
In Round 1 of the 2010 NRL season, Maloney made his club debut for the New Zealand Warriors against the Gold Coast Titans, playing at five-eighth in the 24–18 loss at Robina Stadium. In Round 3 against the Brisbane Broncos, Maloney had an outstanding match by scoring a hattrick of tries that were his first NRL career tries and kicked 8 from 8 goals, finishing the match with 28 points in the 48–16 victory at Suncorp Stadium. Maloney had a breakthrough 2010 NRL season, scoring 188 points with 10 tries, 73 goals and 2 field goals in 24 matches in his first full NRL campaign. It put him in contention for Dally M recognition and he was on the shortlist for the standoff of the year at the Rugby League International Federation's awards. On 26 September 2010, Maloney made his representative debut, playing for Prime Minister's XIII to play Papua New Guinea playing at five-eighth and kicking 1 goal in the 30–18 win at Port Moresby.
2011
Maloney had an exceptional year for the Warriors where he helped his team make it into the 2011 NRL Grand Final against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, even though they fell short losing 24–10, Maloney kicked 1 goal in the match. Maloney finished the 2011 NRL season being the Warriors highest point scorer with 206 points, scoring 10 tries, kicking 82 goals and kicking 2 field goals in all of the 27 matches. On 28 November 2011, Maloney announced that he signed a 3-year deal with the Sydney Roosters, starting from the 2013 season.
2012
Maloney finished his last year with the New Zealand Warriors with him being the club's highest point scorer with 153 points, scoring 4 tries, kicking 67 goals and kicking 3 field goals in all of the 24 matches.