‘Decent young man who lost his way’: Brisbane Broncos confront Ezra Mam saga, culture crisis

Michael Maguire has walked into a baptism of fire at the Broncos, with the coach and CEO Dave Donaghy revealing the club is dealing with major cultural issues in the wake of the Ezra Mam saga.

On his official first day on the job, new Broncos coach Michael Maguire walked into a baptism of fire, fronting a media scrum to answer questions about the Ezra Mam incident.

Mam voluntarily entered a rehabilitation centre on Monday after being involved in a head-on car accident, with police alleging the Broncos star was unlicensed and tested positive to a roadside drugs test.

Brisbane CEO Dave Donaghy refused to answer questions regarding the ongoing police investigation but admitted Mam “had lost his way”.

Donaghy also said the process of deciding if any sanctions are handed down to Mam “won’t be a fast process”.

“We haven’t spoken in depth (about termination) but we’ll gather all the information before making a decision ... it won’t be a fast process,” Donaghy said.

“An incident like this involving integrity unit and RLPA, we’ll let them take their natural process and let it play out.”

Michael Maguire (right) and Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy will front the media. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Donaghy said the 21-year-old playmaker - who was due to start his new $4 million deal on Wednesday - was taking the right steps but needed to do plenty of work on himself.

“Pleased that he’s decided to seek treatment and it’s important that he took that step,” Donaghy said.

“He’s a decent young man who lost his way.”

Maguire admitted it has not been an ideal start to his tenure at the Broncos and the new coach refused to be drawn into speculation about Mam’s future.

“He (Mam) needs go through a process with the police and the NRL. But a club isn’t built around one person or player,” Maguire said.

More to come...

Originally published as ‘Decent young man who lost his way’: Brisbane Broncos confront Ezra Mam saga, culture crisis