Ezra Mam is officially back in the NRL, named to make his Broncos return in Sunday’s clash with the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium.
Mam, who was handed a breach notice in December last year after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of illicit drugs without a licence following a car crash that injured three people in October, completed his nine-match NRL ban last week
The 22-year-old made his rugby league return in the Queensland Cup on Sunday and Brisbane coach Michael Maguire saw enough to bring him back into the senior side.
Mam has been named at five-eighth, replacing the injured Ben Hunt, and will partner Adam Reynolds in the halves against St George Illawarra.
It could be a timely return for a Broncos side that has lost four of its past five matches.
Titans veteran Kieran Foran will also be back on the field this weekend after a long lay-off, named on the bench for their clash with the Raiders on Sunday.
Foran, 34, hasn’t played this season after injuring his bicep during the Pre-Season Challenge
Mam’s return has been somewhat of a debacle for the Broncos after he was sensationally booed by spectators at Magic Round when his face was shown on the big screen inside the stadium.
The 2023 Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year was fined $850 and disqualified from driving for a period of nine months by the Brisbane Magistrates Court after his high-profile accident. No conviction was recorded.
Mam in December accepted the nine-week suspension and $120,000 in fines issued by the club and the league.
The news comes after Justin Hodges gave his view on Mam’s form and fitness.
The Queensland State of Origin great watched on in his assistant coach role with Souths Logan as Mam inspired the team to a 66-10 flogging of Western Clydesdale.
“He was outstanding. That just shows the type of player that he is,” Hodges told Code Sports.
“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 there next week.
“Once Ezra gets back things should change (for the Broncos who have won just five from 10).
“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 he did 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
Elsewhere, Zac Lomax is set to make his return from a foot injury for the Eels and Jake Trbojevic has been shifted to lock for the Sea Eagles as both try to snare a NSW jumper for State of Origin.
James Fisher-Harris is expected to return from a pectoral injury for the Warriors, while veteran winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been named in the reserves.
Storm captain Harry Grant has also been listed in the extended Melbourne squad to face the Sharks on Saturday
