NRL teams: Brisbane Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam to return via Queensland Cup after nine-week ban expires

With his nine-week NRL ban now served, Ezra Mam is available to play for the Brisbane Broncos who have decided where the star playmaker will return.

The Brisbane Broncos have baulked at bringing Ezra Mam straight back into the NRL side now that his ban is over and he’ll instead return via the Queensland Cup despite his team’s Magic Round loss to Penrith.

Mam’s NRL-imposed nine-match suspension for driving with drugs in his system and without a licence has expired, making him available for selection this weekend.

Despite a push for playmaker Mam to be reinstated immediately for the clash with Souths, Broncos captain Adam Reynolds confirmed his halves partner would have to work his way back to the top level.

“He won’t play (for the Broncos) this week,” Reynolds said on Tuesday.

“He has been in a good mind space for the last couple of weeks and been supportive of the team, getting out to every game. It’s good to see him working on himself.

Ezra Mam will play Queensland Cup. Picture: Picture: John Gass

“Any player who has spent a long time out of the game, they want to get their timing back and go through the simple things and make sure they do that right.

“It would be wrong of us to just stick him out there and think he can do the job straight away.

“The NRL is pretty tough and it’s demanding.

“He is excited to get back and work on himself and his game. It won’t be long before he is back in the NRL.”

Mam was fined $850 and disqualified from driving for six months, suspended by the NRL until round 10 and fined $120,000 jointly by the NRL and Brisbane after colliding with a vehicle last December.

The Broncos now have a 5-4 record on the season after the shock loss to the Panthers at Suncorp Stadium last weekend.

While Mam’s absence dominates the Friday blockbuster, the Rabbitohs have made a stack of changes as Wayne Bennett’s injury-hit side looks to snap its losing streak against the team where he enjoyed so much success.

Superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension at fullback which sees Jye Gray drop to the bench after he limped off last week with a cork to his leg.

Jamie Humphreys returns after missing a month with a hamstring injury which pushes Lewis Dodd to the reserves, while Siliva Havili starts at hooker in place of Peter Mamouzelos (elbow).

Latrell Mitchell is back. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images)

There is no timetable on when David Fifita will return to the NRL side after the former Origin player was dropped to reserve grade last week and now faces an extended period on the sidelines due to an ongoing ankle complaint.

Fifita will seek further medical advice, with the Titans to also be without halfback Tom Weaver who is currently in the NRL’s return to play concussion protocols.

In better news for the club, livewire halfback Jayden Campbell is back from an ankle injury against a Knights side that is unchanged from the one that won at magic Round.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy has stayed loyal to the side that lost in golden point last week, with forwards Trent Loiero and Stefano Utoikamanu retained despite conceding costly penalties while in possession.

Trent Loiero has kept his spot for Melbourne despite giving away a golden-point penalty last week. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Skipper Harry Grant remains sidelined with a hamstring injury which is a concern for Maroons coach Billy Slater just weeks out from the Origin opener.

There’s a double boost for the premiers who welcome back Brian To’o and Mitch Kenny for the trip to Townsville where the Cowboys have named Sam McIntyre in place of the suspended Reuben Cotter.

Zac Lomax won’t make an early return from injury for the Eels as he races the clock to be fit in time for Origin, while there’s mixed news for the Dolphins who have lost Jeremy Marshall-King but get Felise Kaufusi back.

The Bulldogs get Matt Burton back from suspension for their top of the table clash with Canberra, while veteran winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has been cleared to play his first game of the season for the Warriors.

Originally published as NRL teams: Brisbane Broncos playmaker Ezra Mam to return via Queensland Cup after nine-week ban expires