Michael Maguire handed unique Ben Hunt opportunity as Broncos face Ezra Mam decision
Maguire has a chance to upgrade his team and send a clear message at the same time.
OPINION
Broncos coach Michael Maguire has already had to deal with uncertainty around his coaching staff and talks of needing to pull some Broncos players in line all before his first pre-season in charge of Brisbane has even got underway. And the latest curveball sent in his direction is the uncertainty around flashy halfback Ezra Mam's future after the Brisbane five-eighth was involved in a car crash.
Queensland Police allege that Mam was driving unlicensed when he was involved in a head-on collision with an Uber driver on Friday night. The 21-year-old and the Uber driver fortunately escaped without serious injuries. But the incident has plunged Mam's NRL future into doubt, given he was not only allegedly driving without a license but also allegedly failed an initial roadside drug test. Mam was ordered to undertake a second drug test using blood samples, with police indicating that it could take several weeks to learn the result of that test.
The Broncos have informed the NRL Integrity Unit of the incident and Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy told 4BC's breakfast show on Monday that no decision on his future will be made until the club has all the facts. "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 told radio host Peter Fegan.
"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."
It follows another off-season incident involving Mam in Bali, with the Broncos playmaker and fullback Reece Walsh investigated by the NRL over damage to another person's mobile phone. Mam reportedly took exception to the individual's behaviour as they attempted to get a selfie with Walsh, with the phone damaged as a result.
However, the players later replaced the phone and paid for it themselves. Mam's latest incident has further added pressure on Maguire to stamp his authority on the Broncos side and pull the club's big personalities into line. It also comes just days after Maguire sent a message to the players informing them that they would need to buy into his hard work motto to succeed in his Broncos side.
But the silver lining of the whole ordeal for Maguire is if Brisbane ultimately decide to tear up the five-eighths $4 million contract - something which is a real possibility if he is found guilty of the allegations against him - it hands Maguire the chance to replace him with an arguably better player for the same price in Ben Hunt.
It would also see Maguire's Broncos reign begin with a zero tolerance to problematic off-field behaviour, while also allowing the club to bring in the wantaway Dragon, which would improve the squad's leadership and overall quality.
Broncos in pole position to secure Ben Hunt
The Dragons have granted Hunt permission to negotiate with rival clubs immediately despite having a year left on his current contract. The halfback has also stated on numerous occasions his desire to return to his native Queensland but there is significant doubt over what club could fit the 34-year-old in their current salary cap.
Maguire previously said Brisbane's priority is to hold onto young hooker Cory Paix for next season, seemingly shutting the door on a potential Hunt move. However, with the Mam ordeal, a new opportunity has potentially arisen. And it is a deal that NRL commentator Andrew Voss believes Maguire can make happen. “This situation would be making Ben Hunt a very happy man,” Voss told SEN on Monday. “If Ezra Mam is sacked, and he’s on $800,000 a year, the Broncos will then have money to spend.
“The Dragons would have to chip in $100,000 or $200,000 or something like that for next year. 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. I don’t see how a new coach comes on board and lets this one slip by.”
While Greg Alexander believes it is critical that Brisbane get as many experienced heads on the books as possible to hold the club's 'rockstars' in line. "That's something that has been spoken about at the Broncos for years, you can go back 20 years. The Broncos, big club... until Redcliffe came in last year that was it, that's all they had," Alexander said on SEN. "The NRL club, the Broncos, it's the biggest thing in town and if the team's playing well they are rockstars.
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"And it takes some pretty good senior players to make sure that all stays in control. Darren Lockyer on the board at the Broncos, their CEO (Dave Donaghy), they're the ones that are going to be dealing with what happens to Ezra Mam. I think Michael Maguire because he's only just arrived and wouldn't know him that well, I'm thinking Michael Maguire will be fighting to keep Ezra Mam there."
