‘Very bold’: Billy Slater under fire for selecting Ezra Mam in Maroons squad

Billy Slater’s decision to include Ezra Mam in his Queensland squad has drawn heavy criticism, but the coach has defended the controversial selection, hitting back at suggestions Mam should be banned from Camp Maroon.

Queensland coach Billy Slater has defended the “disgraceful” selection of Ezra Mam in his Maroons squad and says his Broncos teammate Reece Walsh is also on his radar for an Origin recall.

On a day of Maroons selection drama, the axing of skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and Beau Fermor came as Broncos bad boy Mam was catapulted into Queensland’s 20-man squad for Origin II in Perth.

Just a month ago, Mam was in NRL exile. He was in the final stretch of serving a nine-match NRL suspension after being banned for his drug-driving scandal, which saw the Broncos playmaker sent to rehab and fined $120,000.

But after three games for the Broncos, Mam is back in Camp Maroon and Slater confirmed he is in the mix as 18th man, which could see him activated to play if concussion dramas hit Queensland in Game Two.

The mere sight of Mam in Maroons representative camp, let alone playing Origin II, will attract some level of outrage given the car-crash saga last October in which he injured a four-year-old girl.

On Monday, Slater said five million Queenslanders “own this footy team”. Many league fans are angered at his selection in the extended squad.

Ezra Mam has been catapulted into the Maroons side. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

“Does my head in the rewards Ezra Mam gets after drug/drink driving,” one fan fumed on social media.

Another added: “People always say (Reece) Walsh is (a) bad role model for the young kids, but then you get Ezra Mam who did what he did and only gets a 9-game suspension and put back into the big league comp games basically straight away.”

A third supporter said simply: “Selecting Ezra Mam is a disgrace.”

Very bold of Slater to bring Mamm into this side. Unless he is planning to debut him, I cant see why you'd put yourself (and Mamm) in the spotlight like this. Give Mamm the year off, there's plenty of other upcoming talent coming through that can get a taste of the camp.

— DolphinDribbler (@Dolphindribbler) June 8, 2025

MAMMAGE DAMMAGE

— Wilson Hill (@Phantom4614594) June 9, 2025

Against that backdrop, Slater hit back at suggestions Mam should be banned from Camp Maroon for the time being, saying his form since returning for the Broncos warrants Queensland recognition.

“Ezra is the right person for that position right now,” Slater said.

“I’m sure people will have their speculation around all the people selected.

“But that’s okay, everyone’s entitled to their opinion.

“He’s been doing a great job over the last few weeks since he’s returned.

“We feel that the squad will benefit from him being here.”

Billy Slater defended his selection of Ezra Mam. Picture: Adam Head

Pressed at Monday’s Maroons press conference on whether Mam would be ready to play in Origin II, Slater shot back at the media: “Have you watched his last couple of games back?

“He’s been pretty good.

“I don’t think he skipped a beat and by all reports he’s been doing a lot of training (at the Broncos) through the first half of the year while he’s been sitting out.

“He’s been in this position before, he’s been a part of this squad before and I’m sure he’ll take his opportunity if presented.”

Asked if Mam is an option as 18th man for Origin II, Slater said: “Correct.”

Adding to the drama, the 22-year-old injured his knee in Saturday night’s win over the Titans and will have scans on a medial ligament complaint.

“We think it’s just a little bump that he just woke up with the next day,” Slater said.

“He might not train the first session or first two sessions, but that’s okay.”

Reece Walsh is back in the Origin frame following a successful return from injury. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mam’s Broncos cohort Walsh is another knocking on the door. The superstar fullback was superb in his return from a knee injury in Brisbane’s 44-14 rout of the Titans on Saturday night and said after the win he would not let Queensland down if chosen for Games Two or Three this year.

Slater is a huge fan of Walsh - he blooded him in the 2023 series - and says the Maroons maestro is in his thoughts.

“I’ve got no doubt that he’ll be ready to go if called upon and you never know what lies in the future,” Slater said of Walsh.

“I consider everything and I watch everything. It was great to see Reece back playing the way that he was.

“He’s been a great member of this footy team in the past and instrumental in 2023, so it would be good to see him back playing a bit more footy.

“He’s got a real spring in his step and a real energy about him and I felt he made a real difference to the Broncos performance.”