And with Cronulla stacked with strike weapons across the park, that sure is saying something.

Maloney has been brilliant in his debut season in the Blue and White with the incumbent NSW No.6 leading the team with class.

And it is no surprise, with the 30-year-old taking previous clubs the Warriors (2011) and the Roosters (2013) to their respective grand finals.

And he has felt both sides of the coin having lost to Manly in 2011 before getting one back on the boys from the Northern Beaches in the 2013 decider.

And he just keeps getting better. 

Maloney was in blistering form during Friday night’s preliminary final win over the Cowboys and Cronk believes he is set to do it again against the Storm on Sunday night.

“I think James deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done at the Cronulla Sharks and he has had a tremendous Origin campaign as well,” Cronk said.

“James must bring something special to a football team because each team he has been a part of he has made a grand final.

“I know he’s a charismatic guy off the field but also a tenacious competitor and brings a lot of calmness to their football team.

“He’ll be a vital player in terms of the outcome on Sunday."

Cronk said coach Craig Bellamy would be at his scheming best to try and minimise Maloney’s impact.  

“Craig will do his homework and hopefully we will have a plan to limit (him) because you can’t stop him," he said.

“We will just try to limit his ability and his influence.”