How Ezra Mam became a Brisbane Broncos star
How did Ezra Mam become a Broncos young gun who is playing his part in the NRL club’s rejuvenation. We reveal the inside story on his journey to become an NRL super rookie.
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Renowned Queensland rugby league talent scout Brian “Pinky’’ Edwards is the man Broncos supporters have to thank for landing Brisbane boom halve Ezra Mam in the club’s lap.
Edwards, who is now scouting for the Dolphins, was working with the Broncos eight years ago when he first laid eyes on Mam as an 11-year-old at the state championships at Runaway Bay.
“He stood out at that carnival. He was footy smart and had the skill. He was ahead of a lot of kids in that age group,’’ Edwards said.
“He was different. He obviously was special and had plenty of x -factor about him that you can’t coach. They are hard to find now.’’
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So Edwards, the man who first scouted the likes of Josh Papalii (Canberra), Anthony Milford (Canberra), David Fifita (Broncos), Tesi Niu (Broncos), and Mam’s cousins, Edrick and Brenko Lee, could not wait to take a second look at Mam.
“He was at the top of the hit list,’’ Edwards said.
“You come up with six to eight names each year and he was on that list straight away.’’
Edwards monitored Mam for several seasons and seeing his potential, Edwards suggested to the Broncos recruitment people to formally sign him before the under 15 Australian schoolboys championships were staged in Mackay.
They did - and it is just as well. “He was Player of the Carnival at the Australian under 15 championships,’’ Edwards said.
The Broncos were not the only club interested in Mam, but through Edwards they were always a step ahead of the rival clubs.
And it also helped that Edwards had got to know members of the family years early when he was working for the Canberra Raiders and recommended Mam’s cousins Edrick and Brenko Lee be signed by them.
Now Mam is an NRL shining light, a spark in attack both through his vision and running game, and a defensive strong point for a little bloke.
You have seen his face on the back of Brisbane City Council buses promoting the importance of the Deadly Choices campaign, and he is a pin-up boy for a legion of young fans.
But he remains a level headed young man who is proudly connected to his community and someone who has never forgotten where he has come from.
Exhibit A was earlier this year when he made a decision to attend his junior club, the Goodna Eagles, and get his photo taken with the under 6-7s.
Edwards added: “He was always a very good young man to speak with. He’d look you in the eye and even as a 12-year-old he could hold a conversation with an adult.’’
A primary school student at Christ the King, Graceville, in Years 1-4, Mam was then offered an academic scholarship, not a sporting scholarship, to attend Ambrose Treacy College at Indooroopilly. This was despite being the outstanding athlete at his primary school.
It was while at Ambrose Treacy that rugby league and union schools came knocking, trying to lure him away.
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“His uncle came to me and said all these schools are after him, what do I do?
“I said he was clearly enjoying it at Ambrose Treacy, and they do play rugby league,’’ Edwards said.
“I said “he is happy there, so stay there’’ which is what he did.
“Ezra was a leader within the school, and was later on the welfare committee.’’
After graduating from Ambrose Treacy in 2020, Edwards was on hand again to offer support, inviting Mam to take an opportunity to study and work in a youth support and welfare profession which is his passion.
“Mr (Andrew) Peach, who until recently was principal of Marsden SHS which is the biggest high school in Australia, helped him into a youth support course and at the same time he worked at Marsden SHS in the DEADLY Choices unit.
“This move by Mr Peach helped get him back focused.’’
Content off the field, his football came together on the field for Souths Logan after the completion of the 2021 Meninga Cup season.
“Halfway through 2021 the opportunity to play Queensland Cup came up and it was what he needed,’’ Edwards said, praising Souths Logan head coach Steve Bretherton for having the courage to give the 18-year-old a chance playing against men.
“He needed to be challenged.
“And his football has not looked back since then.’’
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That chance in the Q-Cup came when former Brisbane halve Anthony Milford was withdrawn from a match between Souths Logan and CQ Capras in Blackwater. Mam made his debut and scored three tries against the men.
“It put it beyond doubt for everyone (that he was a special talent) and he went on to win Queensland Cup rookie of the year,’’ Edwards said.
Not surprisingly the Broncos coach Kevin Walters needed no convincing that Mam was an x-factor player and a potential 2022 NRL footballer.
Walters had watched Mam play for Souths Acacia against his son in the juniors, and knew exactly who Brian Edwards had on the books for him.
And now the young fella has established himself as Adam Reynolds’ halves partner at the Broncos.
He may also be fast becoming a fan favourite, but rest assured he will never forget where he came from.
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