Locker Room: Broncos could face tricky Ezra Mam call in wake of Bulldogs’ Josh Addo-Carr decision

The commonly held view that clubs “sack the lesser-known player and persist with poorly behaving stars” still exists. It’s a tricky narrative Brisbane could soon have to navigate, DAVID RICCIO writes.

(L-R) Ezra Mam of the Broncos and former Bulldog Josh Addo-Carr.

Phil Gould took 45 minutes to sack a Bulldogs fan favourite and, in the process, raise the heat on the Brisbane Broncos.

The termination of Josh Addo-Carr’s $550,000 Canterbury contract at a specially-convened meeting at Belmore last Thursday is proof that clubs are finally putting behavioural standards ahead of any potential fan backlash on X and the power ranking of the player.

The commonly held view that clubs “sack the lesser-known player and persist with poorly behaving stars” still exists, but at least Addo-Carr’s termination shows that clubs, like the Bulldogs under coach Cameron Ciraldo, are willing to elevate standards above the result on the scoreboard.

“We understand Josh’s popularity with our passionate supporter base, and we share their disappointment that his time with the club has ended this way,’’ a Canterbury club statement said.

“However, this season has demonstrated the importance of building a culture based on clear standards and values.’’

Canterbury Bulldogs general manager of football, Phil Gould, arrives at Belmore Sports Ground for the meeting with Josh Addo-Carr. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Let’s hope the Brisbane Broncos management were watching the Dogs’ decision closely.

They too, could be faced with a similar decision, and the Addo-Carr call only increases the spotlight on them.

The Broncos are dealing with uncertainty right now.

They have no idea if they need to plan for passing showers or a cyclone of trouble, pending any police charges laid against rising star Ezra Mam.

Mam was behind the wheel of a ute last month that alegedly careered into an Uber driver’s Toyota.

It has been alleged he was driving unlicensed and under the influence of drugs.

Semi-conscious and in shock from the heavy impact that crumpled the front-end of his car, Marcel Van Den Camp ripped open the door of his sedan.

Addo-Carr leaves Belmore for the final time as a Bulldogs player. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The 64-year-old Uber driver immediately looked to the back seat for his passengers, a mother with her four-year-old little girl.

“In a flash there was this truck that hit us. It was an almighty crash. I blacked out for a little bit,’’ Van Den Camp told Nine news.

“The lady was saying, I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe.

“I tried the back doors. I couldn’t open it. They were locked.’’

This incident in Brisbane’s west could have quite easily been a horrific tragedy.

On a Friday afternoon in Brisbane, a panicked grown man couldn’t prise open the passenger doors of his smashed car to free a mother and her four-year-old girl from the back seat.

“I went back to my door, reached over the back door on my side and unlatched it,’’ Van Den Camp continued.

“I got the girl out, they were pretty shaken, to say the least.’’

So severe was the collision, the little girl suffered a fractured hip and burns from the lashing of her seat belt.

Instead of running freely with her friends in the park last weekend, or joining the excitement of Halloween, she is due to meet an orthopaedic surgeon next week.

Ezra Mam faces an uncertain future. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“I can’t rest because every time I close my eyes all I see is that vehicle,’’ the mother told Nine news in Queensland.

“But not just only that, the impact that it has had on my family.’’

If police lay charges and Mam is found guilty, this is the column the Broncos and the NRL can’t forget.

Police are awaiting the results of blood tests, and an “extremely remorseful” Mam’ has checked himself into a rehabilitation facility.

Due to the judicial process, it could be next year before any outcome on what Mam’s future in the game looks like.

That could be too late for the Broncos to cover his potential absence.

While not linked to behavioural standards, we’ve seen with the decision by the

Dragons to part ways with Ben Hunt and so too the Eels and Clint Gutherson, that being able to enter the November 1 open market with a cheque book is a major advantage.

With Addo-Carr’s money, the Dogs have already been linked to Ryan Papenhuyzen and Leo Thompson.

As for the Broncos, they just have to wait.

It could be next year before we see any resolution, which only adds to the pressure on the Broncos.

However, if the charges stick and Mam is found guilty, what the game can’t afford to do is forget the frightening words of two people and the bruises and broken bones of a four-year-old little girl.

Originally published as Locker Room: Broncos could face tricky Ezra Mam call in wake of Bulldogs’ Josh Addo-Carr decision