Path may be cleared for Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam to make early return to NRL

Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam could be back in the NRL earlier than expected after Queensland Police complete their investigation into his car crash.

NRL 2024 RD26 Dolphins v Brisbane Broncos - Patrick Carrigan Ezra Mam, Dejection Picture NRL photos

Broncos star Ezra Mam is set to avoid further police charges in a decision that could significantly reduce the NRL sanctions he is facing ahead of the 2025 Premiership.

Mam will front court in Brisbane on December 16 following a head-on car crash last month that put his $4 million Broncos contract in jeopardy.

Mam, 21, was this week formally charged with drug driving and driving unlicensed after colliding with a male Uber driver transporting a woman and four-year-old girl as passengers.

All four people were hospitalised following the collision, with police declaring “no-one was seriously injured”.

After recording a positive result to roadside drug test, Mam underwent a secondary blood test in hospital which returned a positive result this week.

The woman Uber passenger has told television news outlets she suffered a fractured and dislocated tailbone in the collision while her daughter sustained a fractured hip. Neither is expected to undergo surgery.

Ezra Mam may return sooner than expected for the Broncos. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Imagery.

Security cameras captured footage of Mam’s Ford Ranger utility allegedly veering into the oncoming lane on Simpsons Road in Bardon on October 18 moments before the collision with a Toyota Camry.

Mam was issued a traffic infringement notice (fine) by police for failing to maintain control of a vehicle.

However after completing their investigation, police said they would not charge Mam with any further offences.

When asked if the investigation was closed a Queensland Police spokesperson said: “No further charges (are) expected, the investigation is now before the court.”

The charges he is facing is likely to play a decisive factor in Mam’s availability for the Broncos next year.

The NRL and Broncos will not sanction Mam until his court proceedings are finalised and they have received confirmation from police that no further charges are pending.

An NRL suspension of about two months, coupled with a significant fine from League Central, for Mam has been speculated.

The penalties may have been significantly heavier if he was facing further, more serious, charges.

Given the formal charges, Mam is unlikely to be sacked by the Broncos and is aiming to report for pre-season training in the New Year.

Even if he receives a suspension from the NRL it is unlikely he will be prohibited from training with his teammates at Red Hill.

Brisbane coach Michael Maguire (R) has spoken of the challenges facing Ezra Mam (L).

Mam was scheduled to complete his rehabilitation program early this week and new Broncos coach Michael Maguire said the Brisbane playmaker had a long road ahead of him.

“The reason you go to rehab – you go in there to bring change to your life and understand yourself and know how grateful we are for the things we have,” Maguire said.

“Sometimes people lose their way, but you can find your way again and that’s our plan for Ezra to get back to his best.

“I believe Ezra has to own where he is at and I believe he will.

“He is in a very serious situation and he needs to work hard to turn things around.

“We have to go through the process, the charges have come out and Ezra is working on himself.

“It then goes to the NRL and they and the Broncos will deal with the situation.

“It will be what it will be, but we have to change where we have been as a club and use this moment in time to improve and build the culture on what we want it to be.”