Mam admits he could face futher repercussions over the drug-driving scandal.
Ezra Mam admits he could face further repercussions over an off-season drug-driving saga, with the Uber driver involved in the crash with the Brisbane star launching legal proceedings. And Broncos coach Michael Maguire has explained his reasoning behind a move that has seen Patrick Carrigan lose his vice-captain’s role at the club.
Mam was slapped with a nine-game ban and $120,000 fine by the NRL after being sentenced over a car crash in October last year, where he was driving unlicensed and under the influence of cocaine. The Brisbane five-eighth was slugged with an $850 fine and disqualified from driving for six months, but had no conviction recorded, in a decision that divided the league world.
The 22-year-old spent a month in a rehab clinic before linking back up with Maguire and the Broncos for pre-season training and would be hoping to put the sorry saga behind him. However, Uber driver Marcel Van Den Camp – who was injured in the car crash with Mam as well as a mother and her young daughter – has launched fresh legal proceedings against the Brisbane player’s third-party insurer.
The Uber driver is suing Mam’s third-party insurer for compensation for his injury and income loss after a diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). AAP has been told Mam faces the prospect of his third-party insurer then taking action against the Broncos star if it can be proved the use of cocaine had caused the accident and his actions were outside the terms of his policy.
Ezra Mam addresses potential legal action over car crash
“When all that stuff happens… we will deal with it when it comes around,” Mam said about the impending legal action. “Until then I am going to work on being the best version of myself for myself and the club.” Speaking openly for the first time since his public apology over the incident, Mam admits he was fearful that his five-year, $4 million contract with Brisbane was going to be ripped up and his time with the Broncos ended.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried,” Mam said. “I’m just grateful I did get the opportunity to keep going for the Brisbane Broncos and no doubt, I want to repay the Broncos for giving me a second chance. I think that’s just about growing now from this moment.
“The only way I can … gain respect is with my actions on and off the field from now on. I am truly sorry and I regret what I did. I remind myself every day that I was in the wrong but right now I am looking forward to getting on the right path and being a positive role model for future generations.”
The nine-game ban means Mam will be sidelined until Brisbane’s round 10 match against the Rabbitohs, when he is expected to slot into his No.6 role and push new recruit Ben Hunt into hooker. Hunt’s signing gives Maguire’s side a wealth of experience and added depth, with the Maroons and Kangaroos star already added to the coach’s leadership group.
Michael Maguire explains Pat Carrigan’s vice-captaincy call
Maguire has kept halfback Adam Reynolds as his captain for 2025 but decided to take the vice-captaincy off Carrigan. The rep forward was Reynolds’ deputy under former coach Kevin Walters but as Maguire has explained, he prefers using a leadership group of senior players which explains Carrigan’s apparent demotion. The Broncos leadership group also contains Kotoni Staggs and Payne Haas.
“I have never had a vice-captain,” Maguire told The Courier Mail about his decision. “I have had a leadership group that sits underneath the captain. I have always seen it as having strong leaders around and with our leadership group, all those players can lead. That’s what the team needs, a team of leaders. The captain goes and tosses the coin and has a chat to the team at certain times, but they will all have their opportunities as leaders.”
It’s unclear at this stage who will captain the side if Reynolds is unavailable, with Carrigan surely at the front of the queue to get the nod. The Maroons and Kangaroos’ back-rower is set to be used as a prop this season in what looms as a deadly partnership with Haas. Kobe Hetherington is set to wear Carrigan’s former No.13 jersey after impressing Maguire with his workrate and attitude in pre-season.
