Reece Walsh calls on the Brisbane Broncos to give Ezra Mam a second chance

Reece Walsh has become the first Broncos player to publicly address Ezra Mam’s off-field incident, declaring one poor decision should not define him or his career.

Broncos superstar Reece Walsh hopes Ezra Mam gets a second chance at Brisbane and has backed the troubled pivot to learn a harsh lesson from the lowest point of his NRL career.

Fresh from inking a four-year, $4.4 million extension, Walsh has become the first Brisbane player to speak publicly in support of Mam as the Broncos playmaker continues his recovery in a rehab facility.

Mam sought professional help after his role in an off-field drama a fortnight ago. The 21-year-old had a head-on car crash with an Uber driver and later failed a roadside drug test, with Queensland police to also allege he was driving unlicensed.

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

Mam has not been charged and is awaiting results of a second drugs sample as Queensland police, the Broncos and the NRL continue concurrent investigations into the incident.

Mam is due to remain in rehab for another two weeks and will miss the start of Brisbane’s 2025 pre-season, which officially kicks off on Monday.

Broncos bosses have not ruled out sacking Mam and his five-year, $4 million playing contract could hinge on the outcome of investigations from Queensland police and the NRL integrity unit.

Walsh, who holidayed in Bali last month with Mam, does not condone his good mate’s actions, but believes the incident will be a life-changing wake-up call for the Indigenous ace.

“I feel for Ezra, he is an awesome person for a start,” Walsh said.

“He is going through a tough time at the moment and everyone in this club feels for him.

“They know the bloke Ezra is and how caring he is.

“We have his back and it’s important we are there for him and we support him.”

If anyone can empathise with Mam’s ordeal, it is Walsh.

Three years ago, Walsh’s embryonic NRL career was at the crossroads after the then 19-year-old was caught in possession of cocaine during his stint with the Warriors.

Reece Walsh and Ezra Mam holidayed together in Bali recently. Picture: Instagram

Walsh pleaded guilty, was placed on a good behaviour bond and shed tears as he faced the NRL media flanked by Warriors chief executive Cameron George.

Since then, ‘Reece Lightning’ has focused on being a “good role model” for his three-year-old daughter Leila and Walsh believes Mam can become a better person for making the worst mistakes of his young life.

Broncos insiders were shocked by the Mam incident given his passion for Indigenous culture and commitment to helping disadvantaged Aboriginal youth through the Queensland government’s Deadly Choices program.

“I feel like it’s all part of learning,” Walsh said.

“Ezra is an awesome person and anyone that’s had a genuine conversation with him or has met him will understand that.

“In this case, he has made a poor decision, but that doesn’t define who he is as a person or define the future.

“I know he will learn from it. He will take the actions he needs to do to come back in the right way.”

Mam has possession of his mobile phone in rehab and has been in contact with family members and only his most trusted associates.

It is understood Mam has been genuinely shaken by the accident, which involved a four-year-old girl, and has spoken briefly with Maguire, who is ready to kick off Brisbane’s new era.

Warriors CEO Cameron George and Reece Walsh during their Zoom press conference.

Maguire wouldn’t speculate on whether Mam could still be sacked by the Broncos, but says the Queensland Origin hopeful will have to win back trust via his actions.

“I’m not going to judge anyone. Perceptions and reputations are built,” Maguire said last week upon his arrival at Broncos headquarters.

“I’ve been in the game for a long time and seen many players go through many different situations,

“You learn a lot of lessons throughout your life.

“I’m not downgrading the situation. It’s one we need to have a look at how he ended up getting to that situation.

“People will make mistakes but they’ve also got to own them. That’s the big thing.

“If he owns where he’s at … his actions moving forward are very important.

“He’s getting some help about where he’s at. When he works through that, I’ll get some time with him and assess how everything’s going.”

Originally published as Reece Walsh calls on the Brisbane Broncos to give Ezra Mam a second chance