Kenty’s Man of the Moment – James Maloney – Sharks

After previous stints at Melbourne, the Warriors and Sydney Roosters James Maloney has built himself a gold-star reputation around the NRL as a winner.

He helped the Warriors to a grand final, won a premiership with the Roosters and then backed it up last year when he steered Cronulla to its maiden premiership.

The Sharks’ fortunes have been closely linked to Maloney’s presence in the line-up.

After a so-so few weeks without Maloney in the side, he returned last week against Brisbane and many were expecting the Sharks to begin ramping up their premiership defence on the back of better direction from their five-eighth.

It didn’t happen, though, and the Sharks went down to Brisbane with more questions raised from the game than they had begun with.

Maloney plays his 200th NRL game on Saturday in Townsville against a North Queensland outfit also struggling to hold together their grand final charge.

A loss for either side will be disastrous, as the Cowboys fight to stay in the eight and the Sharks fight to stay in the top four.

By Paul Kent

Image: NRL Imagery