Cronulla playmaker James Maloney has been ordered to clean up his game after being sent a warning by the NRL over a "cannonball" tackle on North Queensland's James Tamou.
Maloney was on Monday issued with a concerning act citation for his shot on the NSW and Australian prop during the Sharks' round one 20-14 loss to the premiers on Saturday night.
While the match review committee did not deem it worthy of a charge, the former Sydney Roosters half was put on notice by the governing body.
Maloney earned the ire of Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott when he hit Tamou below the knees as he was standing in the tackle.
The "cannonball" tackle is outlawed and Canterbury prop David Klemmer missed the opening round after being charged for a similar tackle on Melbourne's Kenny Bromwich during a pre-season trial.
Scott complained about several tackles in which Sharks players were accused of taking out their opponents' legs, inflaming the already simmering rivalries between the sides.
"It is pretty dangerous," Scott said after the game.
"It is not what you want to see because you can suffer lower leg injuries like that.
"You think they will have a look at it. It is hard to see out there but if they are doing it (cannonball) then it would be nice if (the NRL) had a look at it."
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