Smith, JT debate Mam return
Cameron Smith has called for Michael Maguire not to put Ezra Mam straight back into the Broncos side despite his suspension now being finished.
Mam’s return presents a dilemma for Maguire, with Ben Hunt, Billy Walters and Cory Paix all fighting for positions in the Brisbane spine.
The expectation is Mam will play five-eighth with Hunt shifting to hooker.
Many think Mam will return via reserve grade but a thumping at the hands of Penrith on Sunday will have Maguire rethinking that plan.
Johnathan Thurston described it as a “big decision” for the coach before agreeing Reynolds, Mam and Hunt would be his spine.
Broncos star Ezra Mam. Getty
“We’ve seen what Benny Hunt’s been able to do at No.9 at Origin level and I think they would complement each other really well with that spine,” he said on Nine’s coverage.
Smith wasn’t as convinced, suggesting Mam will have to head back to QLD Cup to gain match fitness.
“I’m a little bit opposed to that,” he said of Mam’s immediate return.
“I feel like Ezra would be a little bit short of a run. It’s a big ask … to throw him straight back into the NRL in round 10 where all the players playing now since round one, they are match hardened, this is as fit as you’ll be for the entire season.
“I would probably give him a week or maybe two to get his timing right, get his confidence back and then throw him in the team. There’s not a shadow of a doubt he’s in their best 17.”
The need for Mam comes after an inconsistent start to the season for the Broncos.
Defeat to the Panthers at Magic Round came after a brilliant win over the Bulldogs the week before.
Post-match, Maguire confirmed Mam is “ready to play”.
“He’s worked really hard in the background and I guess until you’re actually playing games you can’t qualify in that but he’s done everything he possibly can to give himself the opportunity to come into selection,” he said.
“I talk to my leaders all the time about how the team looks and what we’re doing and moving towards.”
The Broncos face South Sydney in round 10.
‘Big ask’: Legend calls on Broncos to pump brakes on Mam’s return after brutal crowd reaction
Broncos coach Michael Maguire said he would “enjoy” learning about his side following their thumping 32-8 loss to Penrith on Sunday before declaring exiled playmaker Ezra Mam is “ready to play”.
Brisbane went from beating the top-of-the-table Bulldogs to losing to the bottom-placed Panthers in the space of a week.
They won four of their opening five games but now have lost three of their past four as they struggle for consistency under new coach Maguire.
But the 2023 Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year Mam is available for selection this week following his nine-game suspension
Mam, who was in attendance at Suncorp Stadium, was loudly booed by the crowd when his face flashed up on the screen on Sunday night.
It was not clear if this response was from Broncos or Panthers fans.
Regardless, Mam will likely slot straight back into the starting side, with Ben Hunt shifting to hooker and Billy Walters to the bench, for the Broncos’ clash against the Rabbitohs next Friday.
“Yeah he’ll be ready to play, if he’s called upon,” Maguire said.
“He’s worked really hard in the background and I guess until you’re actually playing games you can’t qualify in that but he’s done everything he possibly can to give himself the opportunity to come into selection.
“I talk to my leaders all the time about how the team looks and what we’re doing and moving towards.”
“I feel like Ezra would be a little bit short of a run,” Smith said on WWOS.
“It’s a big ask… to throw him straight back into the NRL in round 10 where all the players playing now since round one, they are match hardened, this is as fit as you’ll be for the entire season.
“I would probably give him a week or maybe two to get his timing right, get his confidence back and then throw him in the team. There’s not a shadow of a doubt he’s in their best 17.”
Brisbane were ripped to shreds by Panthers superstar halfback Nathan Cleary but Maguire said he’d “enjoy” learning from the loss.
“It’s never nice losing like that,” Maguire said.
“We had an opposition which turned the screws on us.
“He (Cleary) has got that in him, doesn’t he and it’s this time of year (State of Origin) where those players start to rise. Credit to him, he played a good game.
“They built pressure and unfortunately we didn’t capitalise when we had the pressure on, we need to be better there.
“But as a coach I got a lot out of that game, just understanding the players and what we need to do better.
“The points we had scored against us, I’ll enjoy learning about us as a team (from it). I learned a lot about the team, myself, everything tonight. It’s not nice losing but I’ll get a fair bit out of this one.”
