NRL 2025: Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam working on a building site in time away from footy

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has revealed why he sent Ezra Mam to work on a building site, admitting the under fire star needed a ‘reality check’.

Ezra Mam, Brisbane Broncos training, Red Hill. Picture: Liam Kidston

Broncos coach Michael Maguire has put Ezra Mam on notice, saying the embattled five-eighth needs a “reality check” away from the “football bubble” after being ordered to work on a building site.

Breaking his silence on Mam’s stint in the workforce, Maguire rubbished suggestions Brisbane have gone soft on the playmaker, insisting the star pivot has to earn the right to represent the Broncos again.

‘Ezra the Chippie’ has been doing some labouring work on Brisbane’s southside for the past week after checking out of rehab following his head-on car crash with an Uber driver last month.

Ezra Mam has gone into the workforce in his absence from rugby league. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

The 21-year-old has been charged by police with drug driving and driving unlicensed and is expected to learn of his fate when he attends court on December 16.

In the meantime, Mam will continue with his stint on the tools, a move backed by Broncos bosses and Maguire, who wants the Indigenous ace to appreciate the value of his five-year, $4 million NRL contract.

Mam’s detractors have called for his Broncos sacking and NRL deregistration.

While Maguire is determined to give the young playmaker a second chance at the Broncos, he said Mam’s indefinite period on a building site is a warning not to take his NRL privileges for granted.

“It’s a reality check and something we thought was important for Ezra to do,” Maguire said.

“It’s not something I’m going to talk about at length, but yes, he’s on the tools out there in the real world, taking time away from the football bubble.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire pushed for Mam to get a taste of the daily grind on a building site. Picture: Adam Head

“It’s about reflecting and realising what a privilege playing at this level is.

“From the conversations I’ve had with him, it’s been really good for him.”

The 50-year-old Maguire played 16 games for Canberra and Adelaide from 1992-97 and comes from an era when scores of first-grade stars juggled full-time work with starring in the Winfield Cup.

Some of the code’s greatest players, including Wally Lewis, Brett Kenny and Steve Renouf, worked blue-collar jobs during the week and Maguire hopes Mam is humbled by his time away from football.

“It’s not too dissimilar to days of old, when you did have to do an honest day’s work and then pull on the boots to train and play,” he said.

“It’s very different these days.

“Ezra has made a mistake and we’re not taking it lightly by any means _ that’s why these steps have to happen for him to get his life back on track.”

The move has the support of Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy and chairman Karl Morris, the latter of whom helped find work for Tevita Pangai Jr at a garden nursery following his Covid breaches at Brisbane in 2020.

Mam is due in court on December 16. Picture: Liam Kidston

Pangai Jr said his summer of slog was an experience he will always value and the Broncos are hoping some manual labour will be a wake-up call for Mam.

The NRL and Broncos are expected to hand down a punishment on Mam before Christmas, pending the outcome of his court appearance.

The Queensland Origin squad member will not return to Broncos training until at least January and could be sidelined from NRL action until May next year.

Former Broncos skipper Corey Parker says there is a danger Mam could struggle to break back into the top 17 if new Brisbane signing Ben Hunt fires in the halves alongside Adam Reynolds.

“So many things can happen in this game,” he said.

“I’m not up to speed on the whole Ezra situation and what he is doing, but it could be some time before Ezra is cleared to come back.

“Anything can happen with injuries and there’s no guarantee Ezra comes back into the team if Hunt is playing well.”