Troubled NRL star Ezra Mam to get ‘professional treatment’ following head-on car crash in Brisbane

The management of troubled Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam has released a statement, revealing the 21-year-old will ‘immediately’ get professional treatment

After Mam crashed into an Uber last Friday night in Brisbane, there are now concerns about his future and $4 million contract.

It has since come to light a woman was in the Uber with her four-year-old daughter when the cars collided, and they were also taken to hospital.

“Ezra is extremely remorseful,” Mam’s management said via a statement on Monday night.

“He is concerned, first and foremost, for the other parties involved and understands the enormity of the current situation.

“He acknowledges he’s facing some personal challenges and, following these recent events, has taken a proactive step by seeking immediate professional treatment.

“We will continue to support him throughout this process and will not make any further comments at this time.”

Mam is currently awaiting the result of a secondary sample test after he allegedly failed a roadside drug test following the incident.

Police will also allege Mam was driving without a licence.

Earlier on Monday, Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy ordered his players to grow up, while refusing to guarantee Mam’s future at the club.

“We want to ensure that we’ve got all the information so we can make the right decision for us,” he said.

“But certainly from a club’s perspective, we’re very disappointed to find ourselves in a position like this.

“Ezra is a young man, he’s a 21-year-old. Unfortunately, in this industry, you need to grow up quickly. That’s the price of entry. It’s a very privileged role.

“I am big on personal responsibility and accountability. I am sure there will be that opportunity once the full facts are known.”

Pointedly, though, Donaghy conceded that the issues at Brisbane extend beyond Mam.

The Broncos endured several off-field incidents during the COVID period, with Donaghy declaring last January that players had been shown a “line in the sand”.

Brisbane then reached last year’s grand final with a relatively drama-free year, before issues re-emerged this season as they plummeted to 12th on the ladder and coach Kevin Walters was moved on.

Co-captains Pat Carrigan and Adam Reynolds’ pre-season scuffle outside a bar foreshadowed issues this year.

Mam and Reece Walsh were investigated by the NRL’s integrity unit after a post-season interaction with a fan in Bali, before the five-eighth’s latest drama.

Renowned disciplinarian Michael Maguire will arrive as the club’s new coach on Wednesday, but Donaghy said the responsibility for driving change would go beyond him.

“I’ve seen commentary previously about this being a line-in-the sand moment. I think for this group it’s a grow-up moment,” Donaghy said.

“We’ve been very deliberate about investing in our leadership capability and our culture in the football program.

“We have been disappointed across the course of the year with where we are.

“I’m not going to shy away from the fact I do believe we’ve got some cultural challenges.

“Part of it is back to leadership. It’s an area I’ve highlighted we need to invest in.

“We know that is going to take a lot of hard work. We might not fix it overnight, but we will certainly be very deliberate about designing it.”

- With AAP