Broncos 16 Warriors 48



ON AN afternoon that the Brisbane Broncos can't wait to forget, James Maloney had a day to remember. It's been a long road from the backyard in Orange to the NRL for the 23-year-old Warriors halfback, who at once looked destined to earn the dreaded ''journeyman'' tag at an age when most careers are fledgling.

Maloney came into the round-three clash at Suncorp Stadium by way of Melbourne, Parramatta and the NSW Cup, a second-tier grind where confidence can surge or be shattered. In his six NRL games, he'd scored just two points. Time to update that stats column.

One of a trio ... James Maloney scores a try for the Warriors against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium yesterday. Maloney crossed for three tries and booted eight goals for a personal tally of 28 points, matching his club’s record. Credit:Getty Images

By the end of the second-half rout of the Broncos, in which the Warriors poured on six of their eight tries to pulverise an injury-riddled Brisbane 48-16, Maloney crossed for three tries and booted eight goals for a personal tally of 28 points.

"I don't think I've ever got three tries before and I don't think I'll get them again," said Maloney, who is playing at No.7 due to Brett Seymour's thumb injury.