Long ban threatens Mam as NRL intervenes after court delivers ‘shameful slap on the wrist’

Brisbane star Ezra Mam has been served with an NRL breach notice for bringing the game and the Broncos into disrepute and the playmaker is now set to be banned from the game for a long period.

Mam, 22, was fined $850 for drug driving and driving without a license when he appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 16. He was disqualified from driving for nine months and also given an offense notice for failing to control a vehicle.

The NRL has proposed a ban, but due to the collective agreement with the RLPA, details of the sanction cannot be released until Mam responds to the notice, which alleges he has breached the code of conduct of the NRL.

The notice of violation alleges that Mam engaged in conduct contrary to law and brought the game and the Broncos into disrepute.

The court’s decision related to an incident on October 18, in which he drove his Ford Ranger into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with a car driven by Uber driver Marcel Van Den Camp.

The driver, passenger and her granddaughter were all injured.

In court, Magistrate Mark Nolan verbally reprimanded Mam.

He chastised the Broncos center for his “stupid decision” to drive without a license with a “cocktail of cocaine” and other drugs in his system.

“In many ways, you’re lucky to be where you are today, given that you were involved in a two-vehicle accident,” he said.

“You could have been… killed or the other parties could have been… killed.”

“There is no place for illegal drugs in our community and there is certainly no place for someone who uses illegal drugs to get behind the wheel of a car. You have to learn from it.

Mam’s punishment sparked public outcry.

“I think it’s disgraceful,” Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said, while adding that the court’s sanction was “a slap on the wrist”.

Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington agreed and said the government would consider changing the legislation.

“I can understand that for many Queenslanders this result doesn’t pass the pub test,” she said.

“Most Queenslanders would expect the penalty imposed on a driver who has drugs in their system to be more severe than the penalty imposed for using a mobile phone while driving.”

“I will consult my colleagues, in particular the Minister of Transport, and consider what changes can be made to our laws.”

Mam issued a public apology.

“This incident does not reflect who I want to be (or) what is expected of me as a role model,” he said.

“To the NRL, the Brisbane Broncos, the fans and my family, I am sorry. I promise to work to become a better person and a representative of the club and the game I love.

The Broncos have a reserve to cover Mam’s absence. They signed Ben Hunt on a two-year deal after the former St George Illawarra captain was granted his release.

Mam played 57 NRL games for the Broncos following his debut in 2022. He scored three tries in the 2023 grand final defeat to Penrith, but was unable to regain that form last season as the Broncos faded to finish 12th.

© AAP