 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.On 2 October 2016, Maloney played at five-eighth in the Sharks 2016 NRL Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm, kicking 3 goals in the Sharks historical 14-12 victory, winning their first ever premiership since entering the competition in 1967.