Ezra Mam’s ongoing rehab is anticipated to set the Brisbane Broncos star back approximately $100,000, yet the wider repercussions from his recent car crash incident could ultimately exceed $500,000, according to reports. Expected to leave rehab next week, Mam plans to reunite with Broncos coach Michael Maguire and the team for pre-season training as he awaits the outcome of a secondary drug test. This test follows an accident last month in Brisbane, where Mam was allegedly driving without a license and failed an initial roadside drug test after a four-year-old girl suffered a broken hip in the collision.
While the investigation by Queensland Police remains ongoing and no charges have been filed yet, both the NRL and the Broncos reportedly lean towards offering Mam a second chance, even if he is found guilty. This means he may be allowed to retain his five-year, $4 million contract. However, beyond the rehab costs, Mam could be on the hook for damages to both vehicles involved in the crash, due to his alleged unlicensed status at the time. Furthermore, he’s likely facing significant fines from the NRL’s integrity unit and the Broncos, potentially stretching into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Mam has kept in touch with Maguire throughout his time in rehab, yet the Broncos’ head coach remains uncertain about the disciplinary measures the NRL may impose if Mam is found guilty. Speculation suggests that the Broncos could be without their star five-eighth for at least the first two to three months of the upcoming season. This absence could open a window for a possible acquisition of Ben Hunt, a standout Maroons and Kangaroos player, who recently ended his contract with the Dragons.
When asked about Mam’s potential absence, Maguire admitted he has no timeline for Mam’s return. “I couldn’t tell you the time; I wouldn’t have a clue,” he said. “That’s a work in progress. Ezra is working on himself right now, which is crucial. He’s taken responsibility for where he’s at, so he’s owning it. Any NRL sanctions are beyond my control.” The coach emphasized the significance of Mam acknowledging his mistakes, hinting at a willingness from both himself and the club to offer Mam a fresh start. “I’ve stayed in contact with him,” Maguire noted. “I met Ezra about four years ago, and he’s a good young man. He’s going through a tough time, and he needs to work through it. I’ve always believed that if you own your actions, you can move forward—and that’s exactly what he’s doing.”
The possibility of Mam facing the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy if legal proceedings are drawn out could also mean Brisbane would have an opportunity to seek salary cap relief to secure a replacement player. With Mam’s contract reportedly worth around $800,000 annually, this could facilitate a move for Ben Hunt, a seasoned player who was previously on a $950,000-a-year deal with the Dragons. The NRL would likely prevent Hunt from joining another team on a reduced-rate contract, making the Broncos an appealing destination if Mam remains sidelined.
Hunt has been vocal about his desire to return to his home state of Queensland, with the Dolphins—who reportedly have a $1.3 million recruitment budget—also showing interest. Dolphins’ incoming head coach, Kristian Woolf, recently expressed a willingness to engage in talks with Hunt if he were interested in joining the club, though he’s confident in his current roster. Nevertheless, Hunt has made it clear he’d prefer a return to the Broncos in hopes of securing a premiership. Broncos players, such as Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan, along with Maguire, are reportedly open to Hunt’s comeback. Maguire, during his initial week of pre-season, shared his thoughts on Hunt’s potential arrival: “Ben is a world-class player with immense experience. We all know his capabilities and what he’d bring here. We’ll let him finish with the Australian camp, and then he’ll likely evaluate his options. I try to keep contract talk minimal, but a player of Ben’s calibre joining the team would definitely be positive.”
Thus, the fallout from Mam’s incident might not only reshape his career trajectory but also catalyze a high-profile acquisition for the Broncos, potentially reshaping their season with the addition of a seasoned playmaker like Hunt.
