But he ended up being tapped with a wet hanky, demoted to the second bench - losing just one portfolio, his prized sports and Rugby World Cup 2011 job.
Privately, he is upset to lose the sports job. But Mallard's punishment is no knockout - he is still very much in the ring and some say he is lucky and should take up dancing again to celebrate.
The National Party says Prime Minister Helen Clark's punishment of Mallard is a joke.
Earlier, Clark arrived at her caucus meeting with the names of those she wanted in, out, promoted and demoted.
She then paraded her four new, grinning Ministers who each now earn more than $200,000 a year.
The newbies inside Cabinet are Shane Jones, Maryan Street, Steve Chadwick, and youngster Darren Hughes is a Minister outside cabinet.
Gone are Justice Minister Mark Burton - he jumped before he was shoved, Dover Samuels is out and Steve Maharey resigned for a job at Massey University.
Ministers demoted are Trevor Mallard and Damien O'Connor loses Corrections.
Pete Hodgson is stripped of his Health Minister status. His job goes to the promoted David Cunliffe - a new face on the front bench.
Chris Carter also goes to the front bench with education.
David Parker goes up, so does Clayton Cosgrove who takes over Mallard's sport and rugby job - and Ruth Dyson takes Social Development.
Clark has been overwhelmingly loyal too, a friend like Judith Tizard keeps her job outside Cabinet.
Clark has made a big - but not bold - reshuffle, much of it forced upon her by resignations, sackings and punch-ups.
source: newshub archive
