Broncos boss addresses Ezra Mam fallout at Brisbane amid major development around Ben Hunt
Mam's situation could open the door for Hunt to make a stunning switch.
Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy admits the club has "some cultural challenges" to address after breaking his silence on the latest drama surrounding Ezra Mam. The NRL future of the Broncos five-eighth is hanging in the balance after he was involved in a car crash in Brisbane on Friday evening, with Queensland Police alleging that Mam was driving an unlicensed car and failed an initial roadside test for drugs.
Mam was detained by police and then taken to hospital for tests, but fortunately neither he nor the occupants of the other car - which reportedly included a child - suffered serious injuries. Police allege Mam returned a positive result for drugs and was then ordered to undertake a second drug test using blood samples - the results of which might not be known for a number of weeks.
The Broncos informed the NRL Integrity Unit but not did not initially make any further comment on the matter and Mam has not yet been charged. The incident is the last thing new coach Michael Maguire needed though and all eyes will be on the former Blues mentor to see how he handles the situation. If Mam is found guilty of the allegations against him, there's every chance the Broncos board could take the decision out of Maguire's hands and rip up Mam's $4 million contract.
Speaking on 4BC’s breakfast show in Brisbane on Monday, the Broncos CEO did not give any indication that will be the case though, and says Mam has been very remorseful and concerned about the welfare of the people travelling in the car he collided with. “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 in the accident,” Donaghy said on Brisbane radio.
The Broncos CEO stressed that it was too early to speculate about Mam's future until the results of his secondary test come back and police have concluded their investigation. “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,” Donaghy added. “But certainly from a club’s perspective, we’re very disappointed to find ourselves in a position like this... 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."
Donaghy says the latest drama is a reminder of the challenges Maguire faces after agreeing to take the reins in Brisbane but the Broncos boss says the veteran mentor's track record as a disciplinarian is perhaps exactly what the club needs. “He’s got a proven track record of performance and certainly holding really high standards,” the Brisbane CEO said about the new coach.
“But it’s not all on Michael, it’s on the whole club, it’s on myself, it’s on the staff that are around Michael, and certainly for the playing group, it’s on the senior players. I’m not going to shy away from the fact I do believe we’ve got some cultural challenges, And that’s an area that we’re going to invest in and be really stronger.”
Ben Hunt linked with Broncos move if Ezra Mam is found guilty
If Mam is found guilty of the allegations against him and his Broncos contract is torn up, it could open the door for Brisbane to make a play for veteran playmaker Ben Hunt. The Dragons have given their skipper permission to speak with rival clubs about a move when his contract expires at the end of 2025 but could potentially release him earlier if the right offer presents itself.
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Hunt is on a $1 million per season deal at the Dragons but has made no secret of his desire to end his career in Queensland, with the Broncos and Dolphins emerging as two potential landing spots for the Maroons star. Maguire previously indicated his priority was to hold onto young hooker Cory Paix for next season, seemingly shutting the door on a potential move for Hunt.
But the Mam development could see a new opportunity arise for Brisbane to make a play for Hunt. Speaking on SEN 1170 Breakfast on Monday, veteran commentator Andrew Voss claimed the Mam situation "would be making Ben Hunt a very happy man".
“If Ezra Mam is sacked, and he’s on $800,000 a year, the Broncos will then have money to spend," Voss said on SEN. “The Dragons would have to chip in $100,000 or $200,000 or something like that for next year (if Ben Hunt made the switch). I reckon the Broncos are now the favourites to land Ben Hunt based on the outcome of the Ezra Mam story. If Mam is found guilty of all the things that are alleged at this point, I don’t see how he possibly stays at the club."
