James Maloney claims there is "no bad blood" between himself and North Queensland, with the champion playmaker still cheering on the club in the NRL finals. The two-time premiership winner was sacked from his role as Cowboys assistant coach earlier this month after being charged with drink driving. Maloney had joined the coaching staff in Townsville this season, working closely with the likes of Tom Dearden and Jake Clifford to help nail a top-eight spot. While his exit was abrupt, the 38-year-old is still in contact with Dearden in particular as the five-eighth continues to lean on Maloney's experience in big games. "There's no bad blood with the Cowboys," Maloney told The Sydney Morning Herald. "I didn't leave on bad terms. They weren't great terms, but I put myself in a position [and] they made a decision to let me go, and I respect that. "I still hope they go on to win the comp. I've got a lot of time for Tommy. He's so coachable and anything you tell him, he puts into practice the very next session. "For most players, it takes a long time to break habits. But not with Tommy." North Queensland overcame a gallant Newcastle outfit in last week's elimination final, with the side now up against one of Maloney's former clubs, Cronulla, in the semis.
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