Ezra Mam is back in Broncos colours, but his return to Red Hill has been met with mixed emotions as the young five-eighth joined his teammates for the first time since his October car crash.
Read: Paddington Grieves as Jess Gambaro Dies After Cancer Battle
Five-eighth Ezra Mam rejoins Broncos
While the sight of Mam back in Broncos colours was a welcome one for some, his presence reignited the debate surrounding his punishment for driving unlicensed with a drug in his system—an incident that left a young girl with a fractured hip.
Despite the controversy, the Broncos are well within their rights to have Mam train with the squad. Coach Michael Maguire clearly sees value in keeping the talented playmaker engaged and integrated with the team, even though he won’t pull on the Broncos jersey until Round 10. Mam was seen working closely with new recruit Ben Hunt and attack coach Trent Barrett, honing his kicking and passing game.
As you've seen, Ezra Mam's exodus is over, the embattled Bronco training with teammates for the first time since the crash that threatened to end his career. Only 7NEWS captured the secret session this afternoon. https://t.co/6QvR0OCb7C @mitchkroehn #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/KvKnSFkFIo
— 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) January 7, 2025
But Mam’s presence has reignited the debate surrounding his punishment. NRL legends Scott Sattler and Mat Rogers recently weighed in on the timing of Mam’s reintegration. “Going to training is different to playing,” Rogers said on SEN radio. “I’m not saying let him back in (to play), but it’s his job. I don’t think he’ll be playing for the first few months of the season, but he’s still got to do his job. You have to be allowed to go to work.”
Ezra Mam to miss all competitions
The NRL has also ruled out any possibility of a loophole that could have seen Mam play reserve grade during his suspension. Despite the ban stemming from an off-field incident, Mam will be sidelined from all competitions until Round 10.
Ben Hunt hits the ground running
Hunt appears to have arrived at Red Hill in peak form. Reports from Tuesday’s session suggest he was impressive with his kicking game and looked comfortable training in both the halves and at hooker. This versatility will be crucial, as he’s expected to partner Adam Reynolds in the halves until Mam returns, then shift to hooker.
Adam Reynolds prepares for surprise trial
In a surprising move, Reynolds is set for a pre-season appearance. Despite his well-known aversion to trial games, the veteran halfback is expected to feature in the NRL Pre-season Challenge against the Bulldogs. This aims to build his combination with Hunt and ensure a smooth transition into the season. Reynolds is recovering from off-season neck surgery but is expected to be fully fit for Round 1.
Kobe Hetherington’s return and Pat Carrigan’s potential move
Kobe Hetherington’s unexpected retention has sparked speculation about a possible positional switch for captain Patrick Carrigan. Hetherington, initially told he could explore other options, was brought back into the fold by Maguire, who admires his tough playing style. This could see Carrigan, who has impressed at prop for the Pacific Championships, move up front permanently. This would allow Hetherington, a tough defender and reliable tackler, to challenge for the lock position.
Read: NRL’s Suspension of Ezra Mam Sparks Debate: Is Nine Weeks Enough?
With a mix of returning stars, new faces, and potential positional shake-ups, the Broncos pre-season is shaping up to be anything but dull. Fans will be eagerly watching how these storylines develop as the 6 March season opener against the Roosters draws closer.
Published 09-January-2025
