‘Need to grow up’: Broncos chief breaks silence on Ezra Mam’s car crash amid ‘rock star’ dilemma

Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has broken his silence on the car crash involving star player Ezra Mam amid conjecture over his future.

Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy has broken his silence on the car crash involving star player Ezra Mam amid conjecture over the future of his $4 million contract.

Mam is facing his four-year contract with the Broncos being torn up after he was allegedly driving under the influence of drugs when he was involved in a car crash.

Speaking on 4BC’s breakfast radio show, Donaghy addressed Mam’s future at the Broncos, stating that while no decisions have been made, the incident is being taken very seriously.

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“We haven’t had a discussion internally in depth, we want to ensure that we’ve got all the information so we can make the right decision for us,” Donaghy told radio host Peter Fegan.

“But certainly from a club’s perspective, we’re very disappointed to find ourselves in a position like this.”

Donaghy revealed that Mam has been remorseful, with the Broncos playmaker’s main concern being the wellbeing of the Uber driver and passengers involved, which included a child.

“In my conversation with Ezra, he’s apologised for putting the club in this position, and certainly his concerns have been for the others that were involved in the accident,” Donaghy said.

“He’s a young man, he’s a 21 year old – But unfortunately, in this industry, you need to grow up quickly – It’s a very privileged role.”

Ezra Mam is inconsolable after losing the 2023 NRL Grand Final between the Brisbane Broncos and the Penrith Panthers at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park. Pics Adam Head

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Mam’s future, Donaghy made it clear that the Broncos are focused on addressing the cultural and behavioural issues that have contributed to the club’s poor season that culminated in club legend Kevvie Walters being sacked and replaced by Michael Maguire.

“We certainly are clear that we want our program to be performance-led,” Donaghy said.

“We don’t want it to be lifestyle-led, and we know that’s going to take a hell of a lot of hard work.”

Donaghy is confident new coach Maguire has the right approach to instil discipline in the playing ranks and get the best out of the squad on and off the field.

“He’s got a proven track record of performance and certainly holding really high standards,” Donaghy said.

“But it’s not all on Michael, it’s on the whole club, it’s on myself, it’s on the staff that are around Michael, and certainly for the playing group, it’s on the senior players.

“I’m not going to shy away from the fact I do believe we’ve got some cultural challenges, And that’s an area that we’re going to invest in and be really stronger.”

Recently retired Broncos winger Corey Oates revealed Mam has been struggling with the magnitude of the car crash he was involved in, which he believes is out of character.

“I’m really close to the guy, so it actually rattled me a fair bit,” Oates said.

“I’ve tried to reach out to him, and I’ve spoken to a fair few people over the phone that have tried to reach out to him, too.

“I know that this is definitely not him, and not something that he that ever thought would be something he’d have to deal with.

“I just know that he’ll be absolutely rattled, being a young fella and just the sort of person he is.”

Ezra Mam and Michael Maguire.

Panthers great Greg Alexander believes Maguire will fight to keep Mam.

“And that’s something that has been spoken about at the Broncos for years, you can go back 20 years. The Broncos, big club … until Redcliffe came in last year that was it, that’s all they had,” Alexander said on SEN.

“The NRL club, the Broncos, it’s the biggest thing in town and if the team’s playing well they are rock stars.

“And it takes some pretty good senior players to make sure that all stays in control. Darren Lockyer on the board at the Broncos, their CEO (Dave Donaghy), they’re the ones that are going to be dealing with what happens to Ezra Mam.

“I think Michael Maguire because he’s only just arrived and wouldn’t know him that well, I’m thinking Michael Maguire will be fighting to keep Ezra Mam there.”

Originally published as ‘Need to grow up’: Broncos chief breaks silence on Ezra Mam’s car crash amid ‘rock star’ dilemma