Broncos quietly find secret new job for Ezra Mam in 'reality check' for $4 million NRL star

The Broncos have reportedly sent Ezra Mam to work on a building site in Brisbane in what's being described as a 'reality check' for the $4 million NRL star. Mam will face court next month charged with driving unlicensed and while under the influence of a drug after he was involved in a car crash in October.

The NRL are likely to impose a ban once Mam has his day in court, and the Broncos will be without him for the start of the 2025 season. New coach Michael Maguire has spoken on numerous occasions about trying to help get Mam back on track as a person - not just as a footballer.

And on Monday night, NRL great Scott Sattler revealed how part of his rehabilitation process has been getting on the tools in a regular tradie job. Mam checked out of rehab last week, and according to Sattler the Broncos got him straight down to a building site to see what life is like as an average joe.

"I was apprehensive about talking about this but I think it needs to be revealed," Sattler said on SEN radio. "I'm not excusing any of the things he did, but for over a week now since leaving rehab, I've been made aware that Ezra Mam has been on the tools as a chippie, working on a work site.

"The club believes he needed a reality check of what life really represents, what true Australians have to go through each and every day. He's been on the tools learning a trade which is great to hear." Sattler also revealed that Mam's new employer has been impressed by his work ethic, and said: "He's aware of his actions and how it affected so many people around him."

Broncos didn't want to make big deal of Ezra Mam development

Sattler said the Broncos didn't want to make a big deal of what Mam has been doing over the last week and were wary of making it public. "They didn't want to make it look like 'lip service'," Sattler said. "They didn't want to put out an image of Ezra on the tools and have people think 'the club is just staging this'.

"It's about getting him out of the footy bubble and working on himself rather than his social media profile. I've got to say well done to the Brisbane Broncos that they've pursued this for him, and well done to Ezra for accepting it."

Michael Maguire already changing culture at Brisbane Broncos

Co-host Mat Rogers said he believes it shows Mam is "on the right track to redemption". Rogers added: "Young men make mistakes. But if he can understand the damage he's caused and try and right the wrongs through hard work and dedication."

Rogers also said he believed it shows how Maguire is already changing the culture at the Broncos after they were accused of getting too big for their boots this year. "Madge isn't going to go in there and pat guys on the back when they haven't done anything," Rogers added. "As a team they've failed, and he'll be be putting them through their paces through hard work."

RELATED:

• Star back could be forced out as Ben Hunt edges closer to Broncos

• Craig Bellamy cops blow as key target rejects Melbourne Storm

Since taking over from the sacked Kevin Walters, Maguire has continually spruiked how the Broncos will only turn things around through hard work and commitment. After making the grand final in 2023 they endured a staggering fall from grace this year and finished 12th. Walters has since been sacked after making the finals in just one of his four years in charge, and Maguire has already set about changing the culture at the Brisbane club.