Penrith star James Maloney has rubbished reports that he will depart the club to join the English Super League, as reported by The Daily Telegraph.
The 33-year has expressed his desire to move to the UK once his deal with the Panthers expires in 2020, but will first see out his contract in Sydney's west.
โIโve made it clear that Iโll go over there and thatโs probably where it stems from,โ Maloney toldย The Daily Telegraph.ย
โIโve been pretty open and thatโs my intention once I finish here at Penrith.
โBut I donโt think it will be next year.โ
Maloney has played in eight finals over the last nine years, winning a premiership with the Roosters in 2013 and Cronulla in 2016.
โI havenโt (signed) anything. Iโve got another year here,โ Maloney said.
โThe club wants me here, as far as I know. Itโs all paper talk, thereโs not much there.โ
Maloney will face off with former teammate Mitchell Pearce when the Panthers face the Knights this Saturday.
Penrith will look to bounce back from a disappointing 12-20 loss to the Eels last week.
โTheyโre a side on the up so weโll have to be pretty good,โ Maloney said.
โTheyโve got plenty of dangerous players. Weโll do a little bit on them but I think most of the focus will be on some of the improvements we need to make from our game.
Doesnโt need to has an automatic career in media and possible assistant freelance coaching
Not as a tackling coach though ๐
This is an old story – sure it was covered elsewhere days ago, maybe even last week.
But I don’t think Penrith would be letting him go anywhere just yet – too much experience and knowledge of the game to let go, not to mention skill.
Honestly don’t think Cleary (junior ) would manage too well without Maloney.