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Michael Maguire given sobering reality check about Broncos role as Ezra Mam detail called out

Maguire's first official day at the Broncos was spent answering questions about Mam.

andrew reid
·5-min read

League great Greg Alexander has warned new Broncos coach Michael Maguire about the magnitude of the task ahead of him, in the wake of the Ezra Mam drama. Maguire marked his first official day at the club by fending off questions about Mam's future after his involvement in a car crash that's left the star five-eighth's $4 million NRL contract at risk of being torn up.

Mam checked himself into rehab on Monday after being involved a car crash with an Uber driver last Friday that left a four-year-old girl in the other car with a fractured hip and seatbelt burns. Queensland Police are alleging that Mam was driving without a license and failed an initial roadside test for drugs. No charges have been laid yet, with the results of a second blood sample test for drugs likely to determine Mam's fate.

Pictured right is new Broncos coach Michael Maguire and Ezra Mam on the left.
New Broncos coach Michael Maguire has been issued a stark reality check about the Ezra Mam drama that has engulfed the club. Pic: Getty/AAP

Maguire and the Broncos say it's too early to comment on whether or not Mam will be sacked, and will let authorities conclude their investigations before deciding on the next course of action. But Alexander warned the Broncos and their new coach that it could be some time before Mam's future becomes clearer. And he warned Brisbane's coach that he can't let it distract him too much from the job he's been brought in to do.

"We just don't know how long this will take to get through. The NRL and the Brisbane Broncos will have to wait to see what happens over the course," Alexander said on SEN radio on Thursday morning. "Who knows how long that will take? So I guess Michael Maguire can't get past that at the moment but he can't be too distracted by this and take his eye off everything else that needs to happen with the Broncos.

"Obviously there's more than just Ezra Mam in terms of problems with the Broncos after the way they finished the season.... So it's a very difficult time for him but there's another 29 players and more that he needs to look after along with dealing with that (Mam situation)."

Maguire was hired to replace Kevin Walters after the former coach was sacked off the back of their underwhelming season in 2024, in which they went from grand finalists the year before to finishing 12th and missing the finals. Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy admitted during the week that the club has some cultural and leadership issues that need to be addressed and they've backed renowned disciplinarian Maguire to stamp his mark in that regard.

Veteran commentator Andrew Voss says the new coach has "walked into a firestorm" in the shape of the Mam saga. And he's warned that Maguire will have to accept the fact he'll be without one of his star playmakers for the start of next season after suggesting Mam will almost certainly be sidelined over this latest incident.

"There's nothing he can do, he's walked into a firestorm around a player," Voss said on SEN. "I think what he does have to come to terms with (is the fact), Ezra Mam is not going to be there at the start of the season. However this lands, Ezra Mam's not going to be there. So you're taking out one of the key components of your side. He's got to get his head around that."

From left to right, Broncos coach Michael Maguire and Ezra Mam.
Michael Maguire has spoken to Ezra Mam over the phone but has not yet made a decision on his Broncos future. Image: AAP

Maguire says he's spoken to Mam but is still gathering all the details about the incident and having discussions with players and club staff. But the new Broncos coach indicated redemption was possible for his under-fire five-eighth - on one condition.

"I have been in the game a long time and I have seen many players go through many situations. You learn a lot of lessons in your life as young men," Maguire said. I am not downgrading this situation but it is one where we really need to have a look at... how he ended up getting in that situation. People will make mistakes but they have also got to own them. That's the big thing, if he owns where he is at.

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"His actions moving forward are very important. I know he is getting some help at the moment about where he is at. When he works through that I will get some time with him... He's got to go through a process with police, the game and the club itself. Wherever that lands, we'll move forward with what we have. I've got a squad. Success in a team is about a squad. It's going to be a process. It could take quite some time to get to where we want to get to."

with AAP