The Brisbane Broncos legend hasn’t ruled out a major switch when Ezra Mam is back.
Broncos great Darren Lockyer has quickly responded to Cooper Cronk’s suggestion Ezra Mam will have to wait and bide his time in 2025 after Ben Hunt and Adam Reynolds put on a masterclass in the opening round. Hunt made a successful return to the Broncos last week having combined superbly with Adam Reynolds to lead the team to a 50-14 win over the Roosters.
The veteran halves pairing controlled the game with the signing of Hunt already looking like a masterstroke from the new coach. However, Michael Maguire will have a huge decision to make when Mam is available for selection.
It was originally thought that Hunt would switch to hooker when Mam returns at five-eighth. But Maguire might find it hard to shift Hunt if he keeps playing well at No.6.
Mam was one of the bright young stars during the 2023 NRL season and later signed a five-year deal, worth around $4 million, to remain at the club. Unfortunately, his form dipped in 2024 and Kevin Walters was later axed as head coach as the club failed to make the eight.
Mam was then suspended for nine games by the NRL after he was charged for a driving collision that occurred on October 18. And Hunt’s inclusion has raised doubts over where Mam fits into the side when everyone is available for selection.
After the impressive victory last Thursday, Reece Walsh suggested Mam could find it difficult to walk back into the team after his NRL suspension is served. And Queensland great Cronk doubled down on that claim and said Mam will have to bide his time in reserve grade in 2025 and settle for a role in Queensland Cup.
Darren Lockyer dismisses early speculation about Ezra Mam
Many feel the Broncos will be stronger with Hunt and Reynolds running the side. Although Mam would add a running game from the halves. Hunt also has the ability to play at No.9 or come off the bench – which he has done for Queensland across the years – which adds plenty of flexibility.
However, Lockyer has moved to quell speculation around Mam’s role in 2025. The legendary Broncos five-eighth lowered expectations around Mam’s return, but didn’t rule out the youngster coming back into the team.
“I think it’s a premature conversation,” Lockyer said on Channel Nine’s QLDER podcast. “It’s a long way to go and a lot can happen between now and then with the current combination.
“It’s a good thing. Ezra’s obviously been working hard to rehabilitate himself physically and mentally, and he’s doing that, he’s doing a good job. His day will come when he gets an opportunity to get back into the team, but when that is exactly we don’t know.” Lockyer suggested Mam might not even need to play Queensland Cup and could potentially return to the squad without match practice.
Cooper Cronk backs Ben Hunt to hold role
Despite lowering expectations around Mam, Lockyer was full of praise for Hunt and Reynolds. The club legend claimed the duo showed their experience on the field in their first game starting together. And the combination of the two veterans wasn’t lost on Storm great Cronk.
“That combination of Adam Reynolds and Ben Hunt is going to be a very good thing. I wouldn’t move Ben Hunt. I don’t care what Ezra Mam does from here on, Ben Hunt is my five-eighth for the rest of the year,” he said on Fox League.
Michael Maguire praises veteran halves pairing
After the game last Thursday, Walsh was quick to suggest competition in the halves will create a better Broncos outfit in 2025. “We’ve built our pre-season and want to build our year off hard work and fight for everything,” Walsh said to Channel Nine.
“I don’t think it’s going to be that easy for ‘Ez’ to come back in and just walk into the team. It’s going to be good that people will be competing for positions, and I feel like it’s going to bring the best out of everyone.”
On Monday, Maguire also showered Hunt and Reynolds with praise when asked about how the duo. The coach also added the two are only just getting started after a disrupted pre-season for the pair.
“They haven’t had a lot of time together, just due to the circumstances in pre-season with Adam, but the more and more I have them on the field, the more you can see they are connecting,” Maguire said on SEN Radio. “With their experience they’ve got, their calmness. To have two of those guys out there…both with a kicking option is pretty handy. We can strike on both sides of the field.”
