Ezra Mam’s expected return for the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday was plunged into doubt after the playmaker was put on report for a high shot in his comeback game for Souths-Logan. But he wasn’t charged on Monday and will be free to make his return at NRL level this weekend.

Mam starred for the Magpies in their 66-10 thrashing of the Western Clydesdales in the Queensland Cup, having served the nine-game suspension he was handed by the NRL over an off-season drug-driving incident in October. The 22-year-old scored on try and had three try assists in little more than a half of action, before he was replaced in the 47th minute.

But Mam found himself in hot water in his very first tackle of the match after being put on report for a high tackle on Clydesdales prop Lachlan Mears-Crabbe. The incident was captured on fan footage, but it was hard to make out exactly where Mam made contact with his opponent.

The match review committee met on Monday afternoon to review all incidents from the round, and Mam escaped sanction. Souths-Logan assistant coach Justin Hodges said he thought there was nothing in the incident and that Mam will be cleared for availability for Michael Maguire’s Broncos side for round 11.

“It was a good shot. We don’t see enough of that,” Hodges said. “He didn’t hit him high. We were blowing up about that. He will be fine.” With Ben Hunt out for up to six weeks, Mam will likely return to NRL level in Sunday’s game at home to the Dragons.

Brisbane’s struggles have been compounded by a hamstring injury to Hunt that’s set to keep the five-eighth sidelined between four and six weeks. Mam would be the obvious like-for-like replacement for Hunt after Sunday’s game saw him get a first taste of competitive footy under his belt for months.

Ezra Mam happy with comeback after serving nine-game ban

Despite being charged in the early game incident, Mam said he was just happy to be back playing footy and pleased with how his comeback game went. “It definitely feels good to be back on the field. It is a great feeling to be back doing what I love,” Mam said. “I’m not even thinking about (playing NRL) at the moment. It is just about recovering well and enjoying this moment. “It is first game back and I’d be lying if I said I was ready. I’m just grateful to be back.”

Brisbane coach Maguire was watching Mam’s performance at Davies Park as a spectator and will no doubt be desperate to have the livewire playmaker back in his starting side. The Broncos started off the season superbly but have now lost five of their last six games to drop down to seventh on the ladder.

And with Hunt’s injury opening the door for Mam to come straight back into his five-eighth role with Brisbane, Hodges believes it’s the change that could help get Brisbane’s season back on track. “Once Ezra gets back, things should change,” Hodges said. “You have a look at the success they had in 2023 – everything came off the back of Ezra and Adam Reynolds steering things around.

“Look at all those little neat and tidy things like popping up with off-loads, kick chases, and scoring tries off kicks. You need that guy. Once Ezra gets back, he will give them that confidence. He is too good to be playing here but obviously it is a privilege to have him. He is a first grade player. I’m pretty sure he will be back up (with the Broncos) next week.”

The Broncos legend reckons Mam has learned his lessons after being banned for driving without a licence and with drugs in his system after a head-on collision on October 18 last year. “This game gives people second chances. The week he has had here, he has been inspirational for our group and a great leader,” Hodges added. “He has learned his lesson. We all make mistakes. Hopefully he can move forward and have a great career.”