Sport Confidential: Broncos look to lock in rising star Ezra Mam to long-term contract
SPORT CONFIDENTIAL: Rising playmaker Ezra Mam is about to become a free agent and the Broncos have moved quickly to ward off poaching raids.
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The Broncos are making moves to lock up rising star Ezra Mam on a long-term contract extension before he becomes an NRL free agent.
Sport Confidential can reveal the Broncos are in negotiations with Mam to upgrade and extend the Queensland Origin prospect.
Mam, 20, is currently contracted to Brisbane until the end of 2024 – leaving him open to poaching raids from November 1 this year.
But the Broncos are determined to not let that happen and have made moves to keep Mam at Red Hill. The Indigenous sensation has been a revelation at five-eighth for Brisbane since making his NRL debut last year.
Mam had some flat spots at the back end of his rookie season, but has been a consistent performer in Brisbane’s top four renaissance this year.
He has proven to be the answer to Brisbane’s No. 6 conundrum following Anthony Milford’s departure and is highly-rated by halfback and captain Adam Reynolds.
The Reynolds-Mam playmaking alliance is set to continue for at least another two years, with Reynolds eyeing a contract extension that will keep him at the Broncos until the end of 2025.
Mam is expected to join a long list of Broncos players committing to the club long-term along with Pat Carrigan, Selwyn Cobbo, Reece Walsh, Deine Mariner, Kotoni Staggs and Jesse Arthars at Red Hill until at least 2025.
TINO’S MANAGER SPEAKS OUT ON ‘PUB DEAL’
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s manager has broken his silence on an explosive report Canterbury bosses were considering offering the Queensland Origin star a stake in a major sponsor’s pub to sign with the Bulldogs.
Long-serving NRL agent Simon Mammino said he and his blue-chip client Fa’asuamaleaui would never engage in any contractual activity that could represent an NRL salary-cap rort.
Mammino’s stance came as NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo warned clubs of the salary-cap repercussions of guaranteeing third-party deals with associated sponsors.
Canterbury major sponsor Arthur Laundy told this masthead of his plans to offer investment opportunities for players keen to join the Bulldogs.
“If something was to go wrong, I’ve got enough money to guarantee them their money back,” Laundy added.
Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould has vehemently denied controversial plans to offer the Queensland Origin enforcer a stake in Laundy’s pubs.
Mammino said Fa’asuamaleaui would not have any interest in breaching NRL salary-cap laws.
“The one thing I want to make clear is we would never engage in any salary-cap rort,” he said.
“If the Dogs were considering that arrangement, it had to be cap compliant.
“From an integrity perspective, we will abide by the rules.
“It’s not the wild west in this game anymore.
“I wouldn’t do anything unless the NRL salary-cap auditor approved it.
“I haven’t spoken to Phil Gould, I talk to other people at the Dogs if they have an interest in my players.”
Fa’asuamaleaui had a clause in his contract that stated he would become a free agent if the Titans parted ways with coach Justin Holbrook.
The Gold Coast sacked Holbrook three weeks ago, prompting a number of NRL rivals to make inquiries with Fa’asuamaleaui’s management.
Fa’asuamaleaui’s upgraded Titans deal originally expired at the end of 2026 and Mammino said the Gold Coast contract was not beefed-up by third-party arrangements.
“Tino’s deal with the Titans is a straight deal under the cap,” he said.
“There’s no third-party stuff or anything outside the cap so we’re not interested in doing anything untoward.
“Tino has good financial people that I have put him in touch with, so they help Tino with his financial decisions.
“I think Tino would rather invest in property to be honest.”
Abdo said the NRL closely scrutinised all third-party arrangements.
“If there is a guaranteed benefit as part of a contract negotiation, whether through an investment or a return, it will be included in the salary cap,” Abdo said. “If there is a discounted price to market value, the discount will be included in the salary cap.”
MAROONS SECRET WEAPON SPEAKS
The mind coach behind Queensland’s State of Origin series victory has spoken about the methods which have inspired a new era of Maroons dominance.
Hugh van Cuylenburg, founder of The Resilience Project, spoke exclusively to Sport Confidential in Queensland’s dressing room following Wednesday night’s series finale in Sydney.
Van Cuylenburg introduced the “Ubuntu” catchcry that Queensland embraced with passion on the way to securing back-to-back Origin triumphs under coach Billy Slater.
Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans and Wally Lewis Medal winner Reuben Cotter both made reference to Ubuntu during their post-game acceptance speeches.
Van Cuylenburg channels mental health strategies to help build resilience and happiness and has worked with a host of Australia’s elite athletes and teams.
He met the Queensland Origin team last year when Slater took charge and upped his involvement this year, attending every camp and match.
“I worked with Melbourne Storm in 2015 and Billy and I have always got on really well,” van Cuylenburg said.
“I am a Victorian and follow AFL, so when Billy contacted me last year and asked to catch up I had no idea what it was about.
“He said ‘I’d love you to be involved in the Queensland team’ and I said ‘no worries, but is the coach on board with this?’. He said ‘I am the coach’.
“When I went into camp last year I knew Cam Munster and that was it.
“I see them as human beings and people. They are amazing and beautiful people, but I didn’t know their football background at all.
“When I worked with the Australian cricket team as a cricket tragic it was hard. I had Steve Smith in the front row and Mitchell Starc next to him. I couldn’t help but think about how obsessed I was with those guys.
“It definitely helped not knowing much about this team.”
Van Cuylenburg introduced the Maroons to journaling and focused last year’s series on gratitude, with Queensland regaining the Origin shield with a decider victory.
He then had to come up with a new theme for this year’s series.
“The theme this year was ‘Ubuntu’. It’s a South African word that means ‘I am, because we are’,” he said.
“I’ve never seen an elite sporting team like this before. There is genuinely no ego. Everyone here is so about the person next to them. No one is in it for their own glory.
“Everyone kept asking me to describe this team and I couldn’t find a word for them.
“Then I was watching a documentary over the summer holidays about Doc Rivers coaching the Boston Celtics (NBA). He was talking about Ubuntu and I thought ‘there is a word, it’s Ubuntu’.
“So I introduced it to them this year. They didn’t have to do anything different, this is who you are. This is the competitive advantage. They are a group of people so focused on the person next to them.
“The extension of it was ‘I am because we are Queenslanders’. It’s very much about the state.”
COWBOYS EYE OFF HOLBROOK
Justin Holbrook has become one of the most sought-after coaches in the game with the Cowboys the latest NRL club eyeing off the sacked Titans mentor.
Sport Confidential can reveal North Queensland have had informal talks with Holbrook and the Knights are among five NRL rivals to have expressed interest in the former St Helens premiership winner.
Just three weeks after his shock dismissal at the Titans, it appears Holbrook has no shortage of options to remain in the NRL.
Holbrook was spotted in Townsville last week and the 47-year-old met with Bulldogs football boss Phil Gould on Tuesday as Canterbury look to bolster their support staff for coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Cowboys assistant coach Dean Young will return to the Dragons next season and North Queensland football boss Micheal Luck says the club is open to signing Holbrook.
“Justin was up here last week for a local football tournament and we were at the same place,” Luck said.
“If Justin is interested in coming up here, naturally we’d be happy to talk to him.
“There’s been nothing formal at this stage, Justin says he has a few options so he’s in no rush.
“Obviously we need to replace Dean, who is going back home for family reasons, so we’re keeping our options open.”
DOGS SIGN MAROONS STAR’S SON
The Canterbury Bulldogs have signed the son of former Canterbury and Queensland great Jason Smith as Phil Gould’s western corridor targeting starts to bear fruit.
Toowoomba young gun Bud Smith will join the Bulldogs at the end of the year after inking a contract to pursue his NRL dream.
Smith Jr is one of the first players to link with Canterbury through the NRL club’s affiliation with the Western Clydesdales.
His father played 62 games for Canterbury in the early 90s in a 209-game first grade career that also included stints at the Eels, Raiders and Cowboys.
Smith, Dally M lock of the year in 1999, also played 16 Origin games for the Maroons and five Tests for Australia.
Clydesdales coach Jason Alchin, a former Bulldogs player, said Bud was a promising player.
“He is an edge forward or lock,” he said.
“He is only 18 but playing in the under-21s every week. He has gone straight up to the Colts. He is a great young kid and prospect.
“Bailey Nash is another 18-year-old that’s been signed by Canberra. I’m upset we didn’t get him. He is a talent.
“Our best young kids are around 15 that will come through the Canterbury pathway. The older ones are already signed by NRL clubs.”
Gould pounced on the Clydesdales’ re-entry to Queensland’s top competition, striking up an agreement with the club in a rugby league rich region.
The Bulldogs have also signed promising Hostplus Cup centre Mileno Fineanganofo from the Clydesdales and are securing some of the best teenagers in the west.
“Mileno has signed for Canterbury and is going down there in November,” Alchin said.
“There’s about a dozen signed by Canterbury who are still at home. We will see how they develop before they go down there.
“Phil Gould is always on the phone asking what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. He is a great influence up here and a great help for us.
“We’ve only been going for 10 months. In about three years we will see how we’re going.”
LODGE THE NEW GALLEN
Australia’s No.1 boxing promoters, No Limit, have put out the welcome mat to Matt Lodge, believing the controversial prop can emulate Paul Gallen by transitioning from football to the fight game.
Lodge is keen to test himself in the ring – he expressed interest in fighting Gallen last year – and No Limit CEO George Rose says the former Broncos enforcer could one day become the villain of Australian boxing.
“If Matt wants to get in the ring I would absolutely put him on a card,” Rose said.
“I actually know Matt from our time at the Melbourne Storm together.
“He definitely has that Gallen-style appeal. He is aggressive and as an opposition player or fan, you hate that bloke because they play the villain.
“That’s the type of guy Lodgey is. He has that persona that rubs people up the wrong way. I have no doubt most people watching Lodgey in a fight would want to see him get hit rather than winning.
“I speak to Matt regularly. He has a bit going on with his footy at the moment, but if ever wanted to jump on one of our cards, he would be the type of guy that people would want to tune in and see.
“When people want to see you fail, you can prosper in boxing, so it’s a huge opportunity for Matt Lodge.
“It would be an experience Matt would never forget if he jumped in the ring.
“He doesn’t take a backward step on the field and I imagine he would be the same in the ring.”
REECE LIGHTING STRIKES
Broncos fullback Reece Walsh has gone back to his roots during his NRL suspension and is giving back to the game.
Walsh was in the grandstands at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night as Queensland lost the series finale 24-10.
The Broncos sensation would have been wearing the Maroons No.1 jersey if he had not been hit with a three-game suspension for abusing a referee.
Walsh has kept a low profile since the storm of controversy surrounding the incident and his failed trip to the judiciary.
But he took some time out this week to return to his junior club on the Gold Coast.
Walsh celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday and was at the Nerang Roosters on Tuesday afternoon, watching the juniors train.
He took time to pose for photos with the Roosters under-6s, who were thrilled to see one of their heroes back where it all began.
Walsh was a hit with the kids and their parents, who couldn’t speak highly enough of him following his rocket ascension to NRL superstardom.
Walsh is so popular that Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans wore pink boots in game three under the instruction of his daughters, who are big Walsh fans.
Interestingly, Walsh and Broncos captain Adam Reynolds share the same birthday, with ‘Reyno’ turning 33 this week.
FLIP OF THE COIN FOR TOP GONG
Maroons forwards coach Nate Myles believes very little separated Reuben Cotter and Lindsay Collins in the Wally Lewis Medal award.
Cotter was named player of the series following Queensland’s dead-rubber loss to the Blues on Wednesday night.
The tireless forward was man-of-the-match in Adelaide before Collins claimed the award at Suncorp Stadium in game two.
Both were fantastic in a beaten team in Sydney.
“Lindsay would have been close,” Myles said.
“That was probably a bit of a flip of the coin.
“I’ve got 20 messages on my phone saying either Lindsay or Reuben.
“They are both incredibly intelligent football players. Front rowers, locks and hookers are becoming very similar in a way.
“I’ve seen Lindsay go up for high balls. He has kick pressure and chase. They’re not sticking to the normal ‘I’m a front rower, I take a hit-up and tackle’. They’re doing things they’re not asked to do which makes them so special.”
COWBOYS PUT BITE ON DOGS ACE
North Queensland have ruled out making a play for Bulldogs teen sensation Paul Alamoti.
The boom 19-year-old remains off-contract at season’s end and the Bulldogs face a battle to keep Alamoti after adding Stephen Crichton and Bronson Xerri to their roster for next season.
The Cowboys have been linked with the classy centre. Veteran Peta Hiku will depart Townsville at season’s end, opening up a centre spot, and the Cowboys had some preliminary talks with Alamoti’s management.
But the talks will not progress to a formal offer, with the Cowboys convinced Alamoti would prefer to remain in Sydney, either at the Bulldogs or a neighbouring NRL rival.
BIG BAD JOE GOOD TO GO
Leading Australian heavyweight Joe Goodall is primed for the biggest fight of his career in America next week.
‘Big Bad Joe’ (9-1-1, 8KO) will take on hulking American Stephen Shaw (18-1, 13KO) on the undercard of George Kambosos’ IBO world-title bout with England’s Maxi Hughes on Sunday week.
Goodall, 31, was soundly beaten by Australia’s No.1 heavyweight Justis Huni last year in Brisbane and his showdown with Shaw could prove a make-or-break fight for the former Commonwealth Games silver medallist.
“We know full well that this is Joe’s toughest fight to date,” said his manager Steve Scanlan.
“Joe is a huge underdog but we are also supremely confident that if the Joe Goodall we know turns up on fight night then he has every opportunity to win.
“A win against Shaw puts Joe right back in the spotlight and will give him a top 15 world ranking ... we are coming to win.”
NO FURY FOR TOWER OF TERROR
Australian heavyweight Demsey McKean will feature in Anthony Joshua’s blockbuster fight card after the collapse of his proposed Suncorp mega bout against Tyson Fury.
The ‘Tower of Terror’ (22-0, 14KO) is poised to sign a deal to fight Croatian sensation Filip Hrgovic (15-0, 12KO) to appear on the undercard of the Joshua-Dillian Whyte blockbuster in England on August 12.
Fury was keen to fight McKean at Suncorp this year, but the Queensland government was unable to come up with a $10 million asking price to secure the ‘Gypsy King’. The No.1-ranked Hrgovic is the mandatory for the IBF’s heavyweight world title and a McKean boilover would put the
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