‘I can’t control what other people think’: How Mam tuned out boos to plot redemption

This has been the most tumultuous year of Broncos star Ezra Mam’s young life.

The maligned five-eighth has copped a chorus of boos on the field and was the subject of a public debate over tougher sentencing reforms after escaping with an $850 fine and a six-month licence suspension for his role in a drug-driving crash in which three people were injured.

But Mam says he’s not fazed by the heated public scrutiny as he prepares to face another hostile reception in Sydney.

“I’ve been pretty fine with it, I can’t really control what other people think,” the Broncos star said, ahead of Sunday’s grand final clash with the Melbourne Storm.

“I’m just worried about doing my role in the team and everyone here in Brisbane proud.”

Upon his return from a nine-game suspension, following the highly publicised unlicensed drug driving charge, crowds have made their feelings known.

There was a growing sentiment his punishment was lenient, which the Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie described as a “slap on the wrist”.

That came to a head in round 13 during Brisbane’s defeat to Manly at Brookvale Oval, and there is every chance the 22-year-old can expect the same treatment come grand final day when he makes his return to Sydney.

But Mam is adamant he has grown from the moment his NRL career was thrown into disarray.

“I think for myself it’s just about growing, and I think I’ve grown a lot over the last year, and I’ll continue working to mature over time. It’s making the right decisions for what’s best for me, and life will just follow,” Mam said.

“Knowing I let people down away from myself [was rock bottom], so obviously I’m trying to get their trust back. Dealing with all that stuff was pretty tough, but that’s in the past, and I’m just looking forward to the next week.”

Mam will return to the scene of what should have been his greatest triumph on Sunday. His near grand final heroics two years ago have been forgotten in the blur – “all that stuff happened pretty fast”.

Rewind to 2023 and the livewire No.6 had one hand on the Clive Churchill Medal – his second half hat-trick in just 10 minutes giving the Broncos a 16-point lead, only for Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary to break Brisbane hearts at the death.

There were fears Mam would not be fit to line up for the decider should his side make it, after suffering a hamstring injury in round 23 to halt a brilliant 10-game run highlighted by five tries, 10 try assists and 10 line-break assists.

But he ultimately made his comeback in Brisbane’s thrilling 16-14 preliminary final win against Penrith, coming off the bench for the first time in his career – admitting to feeling like “a lost soul” waiting for his chance to enter the fray.

“The injury against Melbourne was worse than I thought initially, I thought I could get back on the field and actually start playing until I got ruled out and the scans the next day,” Mam revealed, while remaining coy on whether he would take his place on the interchange again.

“We weren’t too sure early on if I was going to get back, but as we progressed the injury started getting better. I thought my season was over, but I never counted myself out.

“When I realised I could actually get back, it was all guns blazing to get back on the field. I’m very grateful for the physios and performance staff for paving the path for me to get on the field.”

While those memories of the Broncos’ 2023 failure still burn, Mam believes they will fuel the squad to ensure they do not suffer the same devastation they felt in the Accor Stadium sheds.

But a desire for retribution has not given him any nerves. According to the man himself, “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten nervous before games”.

“It was pretty tough, that year went pretty smoothly for the boys and myself – it was probably one of my stronger years so far – so it was heartbreaking,” Mam said.

“But heartbreaks come with experience, and you learn from it. With that experience now, we know this year we’re going to have to play the full 80 minutes.”

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