Cameron Smith's truth bomb for Broncos as NRL fans call out Ezra Mam over ugly act
Brisbane have slumped to six straight losses, but are still acting cocky and arrogant.
Put a fork in the Broncos, they're almost done for 2024. Saturday's night's 30-26 loss to St George Illawarra was Brisbane's sixth straight defeat, leaving them 13th on the ladder with just seven games to play.
They face a near impossible task to make the eight and go after the premiership success that has eluded them for nearly two decades. No wonder Kevvie Walters went off in the dressing-room after the game and later questioned his team's mental strength and desire.
It's an embarrassing position for such a big club to be in, even allowing for injuries and Origin absences. This is a side that was 15 minutes away from claiming last year's grand final until Nathan Cleary hit the go button.
Queensland legend Cameron Smith believes the Broncos are guilty of operating in cruise control and believing their own publicity. And fans have singled out a moment in the loss to the Dragons that encapsulates Brisbane's unwarranted arrogance and swagger.
After five-eighth Ezra Mam scored in the 55th minute to narrow the margin to 18 points, he got to his feet and threw the ball at Dragons prop Francis Molo while giving him a mouthful. One fan wrote on social media: "What is Ezra Mam doing giving it the big ones? Has the kid seen the scoreboard? Your team's getting flogged, absolute bottle job." Another added: "Why is Ezra Mam talking sh*t while being down 18 points."
Mam has been well below his best this season, less than 12 months after turning in a near man-of-the-match grand final performance. His form is symptomatic of Brisbane's struggles.
Ezra Mam throwing the ball at the opposition and talking shit while down by 16 points 😂😂😂
Clown areas #NRL— Pookie Forever (@CancelledTin) July 13, 2024
First Billy trying to start shit with Sloan by pushing him and now Mam throwing the ball at Sloan. Both after scoring a try. Grubs
— Kingberry168 (@jberr59) July 13, 2024
Had to laugh at Mam throwing the ball at dragons players after his try 😂 hasn’t had a good game since last years GF. Commentators tried but couldn’t get the bronco’s over the line. As for Sloan, tackling bag sessions for the rest of the year
— M (@Moses2010W) July 13, 2024
Cameron Smith's truth bomb for batting Broncos
Smith said of the Broncos: "I think it’s their mindset and attitude towards their football. They seem like they're not willing to put in the hard work to set up victories. They want the easy options. Even though they're losing, they go to training at Red Hill and there's 100-200 fans after autographs, photos and (giving) pats on the back."
Two-time NRL grand finalist James Graham feels the goldfish bowl environment in Brisbane on top of the trauma from last year's grand final collapse is eating away at the Broncos. He told Triple M: "I wonder how it affects the psyche of the players when you’re the kings of Brisbane (and) everyone's in love with you. And there's maybe some scars there from last year…thinking about the what ifs. The what ifs almost magnify. You start to think back to last year."
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The Broncos' Origin contingent will be back for the must-win clash with Newcastle next weekend. Injured halfback Adam Reynolds is also set to return within a month.
