Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy has ordered his players to grow up, while refusing to guarantee star five-eighth Ezra Mam a future at the Broncos in the wake of his traffic collision.
An “extremely remorseful” Mam has reportedly started receiving professional support according to NewsCorp while awaiting the result of a secondary sample test after he allegedly failed a roadside drug test following a head-on car crash.
Police say they will allege the 21-year-old was driving without a license in the latest drama to hit the club after a string of off-field incidents.
“Ezra is extremely remorseful”, according to a statement issued by his representatives at Titans Sports Management.
“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.”
Ezra Mam celebrates with teammates after scoring in the 2023 GF. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Donaghy on Monday delivered a scathing assessment of his players, indicating he believed there were leadership and culture issues at the NRL club after a year from hell.
Donaghy said Mam was relieved the occupants of the other car were not seriously injured, and was also apologetic to the Broncos with his future now in the hands of the club, NRL and police.
Asked directly on Monday whether Mam had played his last game for the club, Donaghy said it was too soon to tell.
“We haven’t had a discussion internally in depth,” Donaghy told 4BC radio.
“We don’t have all the facts. We want to ensure that we’ve got all the information so we can make the right decision for us.
“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”.
CEO Dave Donaghy has endured a busy post-season. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
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.”
Johnson in seven’s heaven for comeback
Shaun Johnson has vowed to attack his Kiwis swansong like a kid with free tokens at the arcade, confident he is ready for his final crack at rugby league’s ultimate skill tester despite limited preparation.
Johnson stepped back into Kiwis camp for the first time in five years on Sunday evening, almost two months after thinking he’d played his last game.
The 34-year-old admitted on Monday he felt “a little bit weird” putting the New Zealand jersey back on, having spent recent weeks adjusting to life after league.
After initially laughing off the suggestion of a Kiwis comeback last month, Johnson eventually answered an SOS from coach Stacy Jones given the team’s injury crisis.
But the halfback says he enters Sunday’s Pacific Championship Test against Australia in Christchurch with no personal expectation or pressure.
“These are like bonus minutes for me,” Johnson said.
“These are like the free tokens you get at the arcade when you have won a few games.
“I have stepped into this environment in the past where the weight is on your shoulders and you have to be the main guy in the squad.
“I don’t feel that. Whether that is the case or not, I don’t really care.
“I am here to enjoy myself, make the most of any opportunity I get in this jersey again, because frankly I didn’t think it was going to happen again.”
Johnson had completed the near-perfect career sign off in August, setting up a last-minute match winner for the Warriors against Cronulla with his final NRL play.
Jones made contact with him last month, before talks of a return became more serious when incumbent No.7 Jahrome Hughes pulled out through injury 11 days ago.
The face of New Zealand rugby league for the past 13 years, Johnson had long thought his international career was behind him after his last Test in 2019.
Shaun Johnson has not worn a Kiwi jersey in five years. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
“I have always held representing the Kiwis as the absolute pinnacle of what I have been able to do,” Johnson said.
“Organically through a stretch, I got away from it. It happened like it happened, and I didn’t feel I needed to come back into this space.
“I was very content with where the Kiwis were at and the depth they had and halves they had.
“I am in a far different place in my life (now). And these moments I will cherish forever.
“I will absorb today and come tomorrow and our first proper training session, I will feel like the athlete and Shaun that really wants to contribute to helping us win.”
New Zealand’s injury crisis means only seven players remain from last year’s 30-0 defeat of Australia.
But Johnson is adamant he can still make a difference for the Kiwis.
“I wouldn’t take the field if I didn’t feel like I could have an impact,” Johnson said.
“I have put in some work to get myself ready and available. I have put on the kit and I actually feel like a footy player again, so that is nice.
“I know after these three weeks that I am going to be smiling and grateful I had the opportunity.”
with AAP
