Mam to avoid being deregistered – but may cop year-long ban

Ezra Mam has been spared the boot, with rugby league’s powerbrokers leaning away from deregistering his contract and barring him from the game. Instead, he may simply be suspended for upwards of a season.

The Brisbane five-eighth has a five-year, $4 million deal signed with the Broncos through to 2029.

There were some thoughts that the NRL would step in and have that voided after he tested positive at a roadside drug test after a head-on car crash where he was allegedly driving unlicensed.

Brisbane’s new coach Michael Maguire and CEO Dave Donaghy had settled on not terminating Mam’s blockbuster contract, but the NRL has the power to override clubs in extraneous circumstances – which, all things considered, a star in the competition driving unlicensed during a head-on collision with a loaded car certainly is.

Mam has yet to be charged by the Queensland police for any role in the accident.

🚨🏉 Sounding more and more like Mam could be banned from #NRL for upwards of a year – but reports say he won’t be kicked out and will play for @BrisbaneBroncos again pic.twitter.com/Vjxuw3LOK8

— The Sporting Base – NRL (@BaseNrl) October 30, 2024

The NRL now has to decide what will happen with the 21-year-old five-eighth after his stint in a wellness facility, which he checked in to right in the middle of the media storm around the crash.

Some close to the situation have tipped the Broncos superstar to be banned for upwards of an entire playing season – which would be through 2025 completely – before being allowed back in after time served. NRL boss Andrew Abdo and ARLC boss Peter V’landys are “prepared to give the Broncos pivot a chance for reform,” the Courier Mail reported.

No matter what happens after the Queensland police probe, Mam will at least be scratched out for 12 weeks. The Broncos will definitely have to begin their 2025 campaign under new coach Maguire without their starting five-eighth.

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Beyond that, it’s a waiting game – and the Broncos may even still eventually decide they want to part ways with the youngster. Mail from within the club suggests they won’t make that call, however.