Ezra Mam fined $120,000 after accepting NRL’s nine-game ban for drug driving offences

Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam has formally accepted the NRL’s nine-game ban for his drug driving offences, and has copped a significantly heavier fine from his club compared to the courts.

Ezra Mam has been hit with a $120,000 fine – including $90,000 from the Broncos – after the Brisbane five-eighth formally accepted the NRL’s nine-game punishment.

The Broncos have whacked Mam with their own monetary punishment after Mam was banned for their opening nine games and fined $30,000 by the NRL following his drug driving offences.

Mam has elected to accept both punishments after fronting the Broncos board last week.

He will also need to undergo a safer driving training program, ongoing work or study placement, to be designed by Brisbane’s wellbeing and education department and an ongoing wellbeing support program.

Mam’s punishment imposed by rugby league far outstrips the $850 fine he received by the Queensland courts while also having his licence suspended for six months.

The Broncos have vowed to stand by the 21-year-old who is contracted until the end of 2029.

“Whilst we are extremely disappointed that we have been placed in this position, we believe both the NRL and club-imposed penalties adequately reflect the gravity of what’s transpired and should act as a deterrent from this type of risky and anti-social behaviour,” said Broncos boss Dave Donaghy.

“Ezra clearly did the wrong thing, but he has taken responsibility for his actions and shown genuine remorse towards those involved. He understands the impact this has had on everyone around him, and the game.

“Ezra has taken steps to get his life back on track since this incident and that must continue. We have been very clear about that.

“We believe the additional measures in place are important and will go hand-in-hand with integrating Ezra back into the work underway at the Broncos.”

The NRL hit Mam with a breach notice last Monday. He will not be able to count the All-Stars fixture towards his ban despite being one of the game’s highest-profile Indigenous players because he has never played in the game.

Originally published as Ezra Mam fined $120,000 after accepting NRL’s nine-game ban for drug driving offences