James Maloney’s Return to First Grade
I recently had the opportunity to chat with the 2013 and 2016 NRL Grand Final winner, James Maloney, about his return to rugby league First Grade with his Junior club, Ourimbah Wyoming Magpies, who compete in the Central Coast competition.
Having recently been let go by Todd Payten & the North Queensland Cowboys up in Townsville, a move back home is just the ticket for the 2016 Cronulla Sharks premiership winner.
When I queried him as to what got him across the line in his decision to lace up the boots again and for Ourimbah, his response was nothing short of community first; he went on to say:
“When I started thinking about putting the boots back on, I had a chat with Johnny Coman, and being able to help the club was the drawcard to bring some of the local juniors they had lost back to the club.”
His answer proved to be a clear indication that he is aware of the influence and impact he has and can have on his hometown club. He is putting that to good use to help bring the Ourimbah Wyoming Magpies back to first grade after not competing in their top flight for six years. It was another driving factor for the 2018 State of Origin Winner when questioned about it:
”A big part of why I came back was to help be a drawcard to entice players to return and play first grade, and hopefully we aren’t just there to make up the numbers. Hopefully, we will have a successful year”.
James Maloney in action for Ourimbah Wyoming Magpies during their Round One clash against The Entrance Tigers
Photo by Sue Graham of Central Coast Express Advocate.
For a bloke who is known by all as Mr. HaveAChat, he was not at a loss for words when it came to his squadmates and their discipline; this is what he had to say:
“The pre-season was really good, the boys trained hard, I admittedly came in a bit late in the pre-season as I hadn’t decided to play until a bit later, but I enjoyed getting up there and seeing how hard they were all willing to work.”
Whether Ourimbah goes on to win the Premiership or the Wooden Spoon, it is safe to say it will not be from a lack of trying their absolute best while being led by one of the best in the game. The Ourimbah Wyoming community is better off for having such a positive role model back at the club and moving forward. This season, we can expect many positives for the entire Senior Section of the Magpies Club.
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