NRL: Little Grub an inspiration

The Warriors have an option on James Maloney for 2012. Photo / Getty Images

As the Warriors edge towards finals contention, James Maloney keeps proving he has been arguably the best value-for-money buy for the club this season.

He has slotted comfortably into either of the pivotal halves positions, despite arriving with just four first grade games to his credit at the Storm. Maloney also faced the daunting prospect of helping supplement the loss of club foundation member Stacey Jones when he retired for a second time last year.

A testament to Maloney's ability is that, after 17 appearances, fans are not pleading for the Little General's return. The 24-year-old has turned on some masterly displays for the club as it sits on the verge of a finals spot with six rounds remaining.

One reason is that he has goal-kicked with a success rate of 78 per cent. That was 92 per cent (34 from 37) but he has shot at 58 per cent (15 from 26) in the last five matches, affecting his figures.

Maloney's directional play in getting his forwards around the field has been an asset, especially with veteran Brett Seymour missing 12 games. That has been enhanced by a knack for tackle breaks - he is ninth on the list of halves used this season, having made 35. He has also shown a willingness to front on defence with 17 tackles a game.

The downside to his game is that he leads the halves field in giving away 19 penalties - sometimes courtesy of giving a bit of cheek - he has also made just two offloads all season and misses almost five tackles a week.

But Maloney's weaknesses are relatively minor transgressions. He has offered the team stability by missing only the 50-6 hiding by the Tigers after his back and hips came off second-best in a collision with Souths' forward Sam Burgess.

If the average NRL salary is around $200,000 and Maloney only had four first grade games to his credit before coming across the Tasman, the club is likely to have got him for somewhere between S100,000-$150,000 a season - a sound investment when you compare it to the injury woes suffered this year by high-profile signings like Brent Tate and Steve Price.

Coach Ivan Cleary acknowledges the role Maloney has played: "He has taken on far more responsibility than we first anticipated, especially with Brett being out.

"He's finding his feet preparing like a true professional, but has a lot of ability. He's quite a nonchalant character; sometimes too nonchalant perhaps, but the best part of that quality is that he's not overawed by the big occasion and handles pressure well."

Warriors team-mate Jeremy Latimore says his former flatmate has become more mature about his role. He says it helps Maloney now has a six-month-old boy called Kade with his partner Jess.

"Back in our days at Parramatta together [in reserve grade 2007-08], he was not as dedicated to his training but I think having a baby helped. For instance, the other day everyone was losing focus so he stopped us and had a word. He's respecting his position more and the team is respecting him.

Seymour agrees: "I watched him closely during the weeks I've been out. His game is growing. It is not the special things he's doing but more his composure... and it's spreading across the team. It's hard for a guy in his first year to keep it up, so we've got to keep giving him confidence."

Cleary says Maloney originally appealed as a possible development option back in 2006 playing for the North Sydney Bears in the New South Wales Cup.

"Greg Florimo [the Bears' CEO and a former Kangaroo] is an old mate of mine. He told me about James and said he saw his future as an NRL player. James progressed to a point where he played to a high standard for a couple of years and was due an opportunity."

Maloney says the turning point for him to come to Auckland was when Brett Finch signed with the Melbourne Storm early last season. That effectively shut out Maloney's chance of further regular game time with Cooper Cronk there as well.

"It was frustrating at times, sitting in reserve grade playing good footy. I seized the Warriors offer pretty quickly. I had another year in Melbourne but decided if any regular first grade options came up I'd take them."

IF YOU want the best out of Maloney, you are better off asking him to kick and co-ordinate rather than cook and clean.

Latimore flatted with him at Parramatta and also when he initially arrived in New Zealand this season. He jokes that away from football life Maloney is a "grub" to live with.

"Put it this way. He'd struggle to identify a vegetable in a line-up. When we went to the supermarket I'd shoot down the aisles looking for fresh produce. James would spend most of his time in the meat or canned section. I don't think he cooked once when I was with him, although he might've heated up something in the microwave...

"He was a slow eater, though. He'd chew every mouthful. That is the quietest you'd see him. In true halfback style, he'd hardly take a breath chatting the rest of the time.

"Then there was the cleaning [or lack thereof]. He might've cleaned his room once in two years, I think it was ahead of a house inspection. Let's just say he was no fan of the vacuum."

There is clearly good-natured banter between Maloney and Latimore. The mischievous Maloney even tries to palm Latimore off as having a New Zealand grandfather and being eligible for the Kiwis. Latimore has to go to great lengths to point out politely this is not the case, carefully avoiding a full-scale Nathan Fien granny-gate.

Expect more hi-jinks. Maloney can rest - and continue gaining confidence - in the knowledge his position is safe for now, as is Latimore's. There is an option in Maloney's contract to sign him for 2012.

"I'm contracted for next year but haven't spoken much about a long-term deal after that."