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This saw Johns float the idea of bringing James Maloney into the Blues coaching staff alongside current assistants Brent White and Boyd Cordner.<\/p>\n
A 14-time representative for NSW, Maloney previously served as an assistant with the North Queensland Cowboys and holds strong relationships with several current Blues players such as Nathan Cleary.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone who would be really good, the yin and yang, is Jimmy Maloney\u201d former Blues halfback Andrew Johns said on Freddy and The Eighth.<\/p>\n
\u201cJimmy has obviously played with Nathan (Cleary), he\u2019s played with a lot of those Penrith blokes and he played at Origin level.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou need that, because it\u2019s so serious – and it should be – but you need someone like that and his timing is perfect.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe knows when to be the village idiot and when to be serious.\u201d<\/p>\n
James Maloney.Source: AAP<\/p>\n
BEARS CONFIRM NEWEST SIGNING<\/p>\n
Engllish international Morgan Smithies has turned down an extension from the Canberra Raiders to sign a multi-year contract with the Perth Bears.<\/p>\n
The fourth English player to sign with the club, Smithies has agreed to a three-year contract with the NRL\u2019s expansion club who will enter the competition in 2027 with an option for an extra two seasons.<\/p>\n
This means he could potentially remain in Western Australia until the end of the 2031 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opportunity to make history and be a part of the Perth Bears was too good to refuse,\u201d Smithies said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be great to reconnect with a few of the lads from back home in Perth. Mal and his staff have assembled a very strong roster and it\u2019s an honour to be a part of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a new chapter for my family as well. We are committed to the Perth Bears and it\u2019s an exciting opportunity to build our life in Western Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n
Morgan Smithies and Matty Nicholson. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied<\/p>\n
Playing nearly 200 matches across the Super League and NRL, Smithies has been a key piece of the Green Machine\u2019s success in the nation\u2019s capital, racking up 67 appearances over the past few years.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorgan is a fantastic person who has succeeded at just about every level of the game,\u201d coach Mal Meninga said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s only 25 years-old and has played nearly 200 games across Super League and the NRL.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe brings big game experience, a fantastic work ethic and, most important of all, is a selfless teammate.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m delighted Morgan and his family believe in what we are creating in Perth and I have no doubt he will be a big part of this club for many years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
KNIGHTS MAKE BIG SIGNING COUP<\/p>\n
The Newcastle Knights have secured the future of rookie forward Francis Manuleleua until the end of the 2028 season after a breakout past few months.<\/p>\n
Arriving at the club from the Penrith Panthers ahead of last season, Manuleleua has continued to impress at the Knights and was rewarded with his NRL debut in Round 3.<\/p>\n
Since then, the New Zealand-born product has gone on to feature in seven more matches and has slowly worked his way up from the extended six-man interchange bench to the starting side.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrancis has always been an exciting young player, what has impressed me the most is how hard he has worked, both in preseason training since November and throughout the season,\u201d coach Justin Holbrook said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has always had the talent, what was lacking was the work ethic, to his credit Francis has turned that around to get himself into a position to play NRL and become a regular NRL player.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom a coaching point of view, you want to see how much a player progresses, Francis attention to detail has ensured he has continued to improve every week. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are thrilled he has decided to continue his career with us at the Knights.\u201d<\/p>\n
MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n
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