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<big>Five-eighth James Maloney confirms Warriors exit and Australia return after 2012 NRL season</big>
AAP November 26, 2011 8:31AMWarriors have failed to retain playmaker James Maloney, with the five-eighth confirming he will continue his NRL career in Australia in 2013. Maloney, who has developed into one of the competition’s top playmakers since joining the Warriors from Melbourne in 2010, will see out the final year of his contract next season.
But while he did not reveal which NRL club he would be going to, Maloney says the decision to move back across the Tasman wasn’t an easy one and was based on a desire to be nearer family and friends.
The NSW-born Maloney, who is due to become a father for the second time, says he owes a lot to the Warriors, who signed him after just four first-grade games for the Melbourne Storm.
“The club came up with a great offer but the big issue for us has always been our desire to go back home to Australia so we can be closer to our families and friends,” he said.
“There was interest from other clubs but it’s been a really tough decision to make and I know we’ll miss the Warriors and all the supporters.”
Maloney is relieved to have the issue sorted out so he can concentrate on next season under new coach Brian McClennan.
Warriors recruitment manager Dean Bell was disappointed the club couldn’t retain Maloney, but the player had made it clear that family issues were the big factor in his decision.
His departure will be cushioned by the arrival at the end of next season of Kiwis utility Thomas Leuluai, who will be returning from Wigan to the club where he began his first-grade career.
Maloney, 25, has been the Warriors’ first choice five-eighth in his two seasons in Auckland.
He has missed just two of the club’s 53 matches during that period, both through suspension, and scored 394 points, including 20 tries.
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Could be a good option in the 7???
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very good option but come at a cost i think. hell probably end up at souths/panthers raiders at a long shot
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wonder why he hasn’t revealed which club he’s going to!?!
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wonder why he hasn’t revealed which club he’s going to!?!
Maybe the release hasn;t been signed yet…
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heard the roosters are rly keen….
don’t know…
interested to see where he goes. -
probably one of souths, easts, penrith
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@Tiger Watto:
Could be a good option in the 7???
Would be a great option in the 7 but it can’t be possible we would have the cash unless the contract is heavily backended for when Lote and Gareth leave
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Apparently Gus came out and said they will be going with junior talent and are not looking at Maloney.
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Would be a good pick up, but if he starts the year as well as he finished it his price tag will be ridiculous. Will probably be signed by Russell “Chequebook Rugby League is not my style” Crowe and turn into a nuff nuff.
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Would be a good pick up, but if he starts the year as well as he finished it his price tag will be ridiculous. Will probably be signed by Russell “Chequebook Rugby League is not my style” Crowe and turn into a nuff nuff.
Yeah Souths and Easts will have to be favourites for his contract
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The Tigers could potentially afford him on the provision Moltzen and Tuqiri are not re-signed beyond next season.
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Or mabe we can when lote leaves and brown goes we keep moltzen and get james.
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Or mabe we can when lote leaves and brown goes we keep moltzen and get james.
All well and good to let Brown go, but he is on far less money than Moltzen, and with Tedesco coming through the ranks I’d be inclined to free up the money on Moltzen, upgrade Tedesco and also have enough to make a play for Maloney.
And “mabe” is spelt maybe for future reference.
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The Tigers could potentially afford him on the provision Moltzen and Tuqiri are not re-signed beyond next season.
Willow, do you really think Moltzen would have turned his back on a 3 year deal at the Dragons without some sort of guarantee that he would be re-signed beyond next season?
