James Maloney speaks after Cowboys coach sacked in staggering ...

The Cowboys have suffered a massive blow ahead of the NRL finals with North Queensland assistant coach James Maloney sacked after being charged with drink driving. The two-time premiership winner retired from the NRL last year and immediately joined the Cowboys as an assistant.

In his brief time in North Queensland, Maloney helped turn around their attack, with the team sitting fifth in the league for tries scored after finishing last year ranked 10th. But his coaching career has unravelled a week before the Cowboys begin their NRL finals campaign.

The Daily Telegraph reports he was fired by the club immediately following an off-field incident in the lead-up to Saturday night’s clash against the Bulldogs in Sydney. Maloney was booked for an alleged DUI over the weekend and was immediately removed from the club's coaching staff.

James Maloney has been fired by the Cowboys following an off-field incident. Image: Getty

And on Wednesday, Cowboys football boss Micheal Luck confirmed Maloney's contract had been terminated by North Queensland bosses ahead of round 27. "James has left our employment," Luck told NewsCorp. "It’s an amicable split. It’s a staff member so we won’t be commenting any further. I’m disappointed, what can I say."

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Maloney has since confirmed his departure and said he was disappointed in himself but harboured "no ill-will towards the Cowboys". He told News Corp: "It was only a low range charge, it wasn't excessively over. The club's position was that in my role as a leader and in coaching, it wasn't acceptable.

"Personally I'm disappointed in myself that my mistake has become a distraction for the club at this time of the year. We're not in normal jobs unfortunately and things like this are unacceptable in the NRL."

James Maloney had to convince wife Jessica to relocate their family from Sydney to North Queensland. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Maloney had spoken previously about having to convince his wife to relocate to North Queensland so he could accept the job. Maloney and his family had only just settled back in Sydney after his playing days finished in France when he agreed to join the Cowboys.

Maloney began his playing career at the Melbourne Storm before making a name for himself at the New Zealand Warriors. He won his first premiership after joining the Sydney Roosters in 2013 and made a similarly successful move to the Cronulla Sharks in 2016. He finished his NRL career with Penrith before playing in France for the Catalans Dragons and FC Lezignan before taking up a role as assistant coach under Todd Payten at the Cowboys.

Maloney’s sacking has dampened what has been a positive start to a week for the Cowboys, with co-captain Reuben Cotter agreeing to a three-year contract extension. Already signed until the end of next year, North Queensland on Monday announced they have locked down the 25-year-old State of Origin representative long-term.

And Cotter said he never had any doubts about staying at North Queensland long term, stating when the Cowboys approached him about a new deal it was a "no-brainer". "It was a no-brainer for myself and my family," Cotter said.

This week Cowboys co-captain Reuben Cotter agreed to a three-year contract extension. Image: Getty

"My wife is from the Burdekin and I am from Mackay so it made sense for me to stay here and I am very excited to extend with the club. I am extremely grateful for what has happened the last couple of years, especially after what happened (with injuries) at the start of my career.

"I am excited for what we are building. I love playing alongside this group and what we are working towards ... obviously a premiership." The Cowboys will play off for the right to host a home elimination final this weekend when they meet the fifth-placed Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon.