Bottle hurled at Broncos bench as Bulldogs fans take frustrations out on Ezra Mam

Frustrations among the Bulldogs fans spilt over in the dying stages of the game, as Ezra Mam - who was booed every time he touched the ball - orchestrated a miracle comeback for the Broncos.

Brisbane’s stunning Ezra-Mam inspired comeback win over the Bulldogs on Friday night ended on an unsavoury note after a bottle was hurled at the Broncos bench as they celebrated Brendan Piakura’s matchwinning try.

Security at Accor Stadium were studying video footage after the match to try to identify the culprit as frustrations among the Bulldogs fans spilt over in the dying stages of the game.

Ezra Mam was booed relentlessly by the Bulldogs crowd. Picture: Getty Images

Piakura had overcome a first half head knock to cap off a remarkable comeback with his matchwinner in the 76th minute, which prompted wild celebrations on the sidelines but threatened to be overshadowed when a bottle only just missed a group of Brisbane players.

It was an ugly ending to a thrilling comeback that was inspired by the brilliance of Mam, who was jeered throughout the night but had the last laugh as he orchestrated a stunning return from the dead.

Mam has received a hot reception on his travels this season but it is hard to remember a night as vitriolic as this.

The Broncos star five-eighth vomited on the sideline before kick-off but he left the Bulldogs and their fans feeling sickly as he produced a brilliant second half to raise the Broncos from the dead.

Mam’s influence grew throughout the match and he kickstarted the comeback midway through the second half when he played a hand in Josiah Karapani’s try. What followed was a procession and Mam was at the heart of it as he seized control of the game.

Billy Walters has spoken out in support of teammate Ezra Mam. Picture: Getty Images

‘HE COPS IT EVERYWHERE HE GOES’

Five minutes after Karapani’s try, Mam put Delouise Hoeter in a hole and as he slid over the try line, the Broncos pivot turned to the crowd and let out a primal scream.

He wasn’t done yet. After Billy Walters put Brisbane within striking distance and Mam went to work, this time putting Piakura in a hole.

Again, Mam let the crowd know about it. He had been on the receiving end all night but he had silenced the masses with a second half display.

“He is a wonderful player mate,” Walters said of Mam.

“We have obviously been a much better team since he has come back. It shows his character. He cops it everywhere he goes but he doesn’t let it phase him. If anything it makes him play better and he became superhuman in that second half and really dragged us over the finish line.”

There was no sign of what was to come in the opening 40 minutes as the Bulldogs took control of the game. Mam did his best but he was powerless to change the momentum as the Broncos’ mistakes stopped them making a contest of the game.

Just before halftime his head appeared on the big screen and a chorus of boos rang out around the ground. It got worse as the Broncos made their way off the field at halftime.

Bulldogs fans surrounded the tunnel and gave Mam a vitriolic send-off as he headed for the sanctity of the dressing sheds.

It was the safest place to be. The second half was a different story as the Broncos and Mam ran riot. Even the opposition conceded that he was the difference.

“Poor bugger,” Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney said.

“Quality for him to stand up and to see him back in the NRL and doing his thing. He was really good tonight in that second half.”

Originally published as Bottle hurled at Broncos bench as Bulldogs fans take frustrations out on Ezra Mam