'Needs to grow up': Ezra Mam's clouded Broncos future opens the door for potential Ben Hunt reunion
Updated . First published at
The future of Ezra Mam at the Broncos is on life support and it could open the door for a State of Origin star to return to the club next season.
The 21-year-old was arrested over the weekend after returning a positive roadside drug test following a motor vehicle crash.
Mam was also alleged to have been driving without a licence.
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Given the severity of the incident, which could even see the five-eighth face jail time, it's hard to imagine a world where Brisbane officials don't tear up his contract.
It was less than a month ago that Mam found himself in hot water during a trip to Bali alongside teammate Reece Walsh, but was cleared of any sanction by the club.
Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam during a post-season holiday. Instagram
This time around, Mam might not be so lucky.
Speaking to 4BC on Monday morning, chief executive Dave Donaghy explained the status of the situation and revealed Mam has shown remorse for the incident.
"We haven't had a discussion internally in depth, we want to ensure that we've got all the information so we can make the right decision for us," he said.
"But certainly from a club's perspective, we're very disappointed to find ourselves in a position like this. In my conversation with Ezra, he's apologised for putting the club in this position, and certainly his concerns have been for the others that were involved.
"He's a young man, he's a 21-year-old – but unfortunately, in this industry, you need to grow up quickly – it's a very privileged role."
New coach Michael Maguire has already made clear his plans to steady the ship and rid the Broncos squad of a culture that saw them plummet out of the finals in 2024 and it could be one of the side's most important stars who ends up being a casualty.
Michael Maguire's during his first media appearance as Broncos coach. Nine
If he is serious about forcing that change, Maguire should absolutely convince the Broncos to sack Mam - if he is found guilty - regardless of how long is left on his contract at Red Hill.
Not only did he break the law and put himself in danger, but he put the lives of countless others on the road at the same time in jeopardy.
Whatever decision ends up being made by the Broncos and the NRL, there's next to no chance that Mam will be available for the start of next season.
The timing - which is of course completely coincidental - comes at the same time Dragons captain Ben Hunt is agitating for a move away from the club.
Ben Hunt is weighing up his options. NRL Photos
The 34-year-old has grown increasingly frustrated over the past couple of years and after copping some harsh truths from Shane Flanagan, the halfback appears to be headed for an exit, either before next season or when it finishes.
Hunt has openly expressed his desire to return home to Queensland as recently as last week and it would be a logical conversation for Maguire and company to have.
Adam Reynolds only has one year left on his contract and could retire, while Jock Madden looms as the other potential replacement for Mam.
While it's obvious Hunt has less football ahead of him than behind him, he could give the Broncos some class in the halves and provide a stop-gap option to develop young gun Coby Black, who is seen as the heir apparent to the No.7 jumper.
If it's not Hunt, there could be other options for the Broncos to look at on November 1.
Braydon Trindall is the name on everyone's lips and the Sharks playmaker is expected to attract plenty of interest from rival clubs - most notably St George Illawarra - and would no doubt be a target for Brisbane should they need an elite-level half.
At this stage, Mam is entitled to the presumption of innocence, but to say his future in Broncos colours is clouded would be a massive understatement.
The dramas in Brisbane were meant to stop when Kevin Walters was replaced by Maguire, but this off-season couldn't have started any worse for the new coach.
