 As the season went along, Maloney helped the Sharks charge into the Finals, aiming to break their 49-year premiership drought.In the Sharks important Preliminary Finals match against the last year premiers the North Queensland Cowboys, Maloney had an exceptional match, scoring 2 tries and kicking 6 goals in the Sharks triumphant 32-20 win at Sydney Football Stadium, booking the Sharks a spot in the big decider into the next week.On 28 September 2016, Maloney was named as the Dally M five eighth of the year.