NRL’s proposed suspension for Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam revealed

The length of Ezra Mam’s NRL suspension for his drug-fuelled car crash has been revealed after the league issued a breach notice.

Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam has been issued with a breach notice over the NRL’s Code of Conduct.

Last week Mam was fined and disqualified from driving after he fronted a Brisbane court, following an incident which occurred on October 18.

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Mam pleaded guilty to one count of driving while relevant drug is present in blood, and driving without a licence.

He was handed an $850 fine and his license was disqualified for at least six months.

On Monday, an NRL statement read: “The Breach Notice alleges that Mam has engaged in conduct which is against the law and has brought the game and his Club into disrepute.

Code Sports reported the NRL’s proposed suspension for Mam is a nine-week ban.

A nine-week suspension would mean Mam would be eligible to return for Brisbane’s Round 10 game against South Sydney.

That length of ban, of less than half the season, would be a boost to the Broncos, who could yet hand down their own sanction to Mam.

There had been suggestions the NRL could ban Mam for the entire season, which would put a heavier load on new Broncos recruit Ben Hunt and veteran Adam Reynolds in the playmaker’s absence.

Ezra Mam is set to be banned for nine weeks. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“In accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the RLPA, information concerning the NRL’s proposed sanction will not be disclosed until the player has had the opportunity to respond to the alleged breach and the matter is finalised.”

The court penalty comes after he was involved in a head-on crash, driving his ute in Bardon in Brisbane’s west when it struck an Uber, injuring a child and a woman.

Mam failed his roadside drug test before he was detained for further drug testing which also returned a positive result.

During his sentencing hearing, the magistrate said Mam’s behaviour was “stupid” and urged the playmaker to “learn from this” with no conviction being recorded.

Mam has now been hit with a breach notice. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

“On this particular occasion you shouldn’t have been driving because of the fact you didn’t have a licence,” the magistrate said.

“Having made that stupid decision to get behind the wheel of the car, as well as use illicit substances as well … a cocktail of cocaine and other matters that were found in your blood on this occasion.

“At so many levels you are fortunate to stand where you are today … you could have been injured or killed, or the other persons could have been injured or killed.

“There’s no place for illicit drugs in our community and there’s certainly no place for a person who is using illicit drugs to get behind the wheel of a car.

“You’ve got to learn from this.”

Mam also spoke to media outside the court, saying: “Today is a very important step in learning from my actions and starting to make things right.

“To the people involved in the accident I am truly sorry. This incident isn’t a reflection of what I want to be and what is expected of me as a role model.

“To the NRL, Brisbane Broncos, the fans, my family – I am sorry. I promise to work on being a better person.”

The 21-year-old signed a five-year contract with the Broncos in February, worth a reported $4 million.

He was supported by his mum in court, who reportedly flew from the Torres Strait Islands to be by his side during the hearing.

Originally published as NRL’s proposed suspension for Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam revealed