Ezra Mam will have to pay $120,000 in fines to Brisbane and the NRL, after the under-fire five-eighth accepted his nine-game ban for driving offences.
The Brisbane Broncos confirmed late on Friday evening that Mam would accept his NRL sanctions, which AAP understands to be a nine-match ban and a $30,000 fine.
Brisbane have slapped the 22-year-old with an additional $90,000 fine, for being caught drug driving while unlicensed after crashing into an oncoming car in October.
AAP understands the club fine could be spread out over more than one year. Mam is contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2029.
In a statement, the Broncos also said Mam would have to complete a safe-driving program, work or study placement, and commit to ongoing wellbeing support.
Mam was also fined $850 and had his license suspended for nine months in Brisbane’s Magistrate’s Court last week, in a punishment that has widely been criticised as too lenient.
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“Whilst we are extremely disappointed that we have been placed in this position, we believe both the NRL and club-imposed penalties adequately reflect the gravity of what’s transpired and should act as a deterrent from this type of risky and anti-social behaviour,” Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said in a statement.
“Ezra clearly did the wrong thing, but he has taken responsibility for his actions and shown genuine remorse towards those involved.
“He understands the impact this has had on everyone around him, and the game.
“Ezra has taken steps to get his life back on track since this incident and that must continue. We have been very clear about that.
“We believe the additional measures in place are important and will go hand in hand with integrating Ezra back into the work underway at the Broncos.”
AAP has also been told Mam will not be able to include the Indigenous All-Stars fixture to his ban, meaning he will not be able to return until Brisbane plays South Sydney in round 10 of 2025.
Mam’s suspension will likely mean Ben Hunt will partner Adam Reynolds for the first two months of the season at Brisbane, after his move from St George Illawarra.
It is then possible Hunt could shift to hooker if Mam and Reynolds are fit, allowing him to share dummy-half duties with Billy Walters.
By Scott Bailey and Joel Gould.
