NRL champion James Maloney will officially play his final professional game this weekend.
Maloney, who for the past two years has been with Super League club Catalans, will finish his professional career playing in a grand final when the Dragons take on St Helens at the iconic Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.
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The 35-year-old and two-time NRL grand final winner finished his career in Australia at the end of the 2019 season after 247 games between the Storm, Roosters, Warriors, Sharks and Panthers.
“No doubt later in the week the excitement will build,” Maloney said of Sunday’s grand final on SEN radio.
“Hopefully we’ve got a good 80-minute performance in us and we can finish on a high note.”
Maloney put to bed any rumours of a return to rugby league in Australia, confirming he and his family plan to remain in remain in France.
“We’ve loved it [in France],” Maloney said.
“We’re not in a rush to go home, that’s why we’re going to try and stay for another couple of years after I finish up and have a run around in the lower grades over here.
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“We want to travel Europe and do all the awesome stuff being over here allows you to do.
“It’s been such a good experience, the kids all speak really good French now, it’s crazy the opportunity we’ve been able to give the kids and the family … it’s been awesome.”
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