Police have formally charged Brisbane Broncos star Ezra Mam following a car crash incident that took place nearly one month ago on Friday, October 18, in Bardon.
Mam has been charged with drug driving after he was subject to a roadside drug test at the time, in which he allegedly returned a positive result.
The official charge is one count of drive while relevant drug is present in blood, and driving without a license. He was also hit with a traffic infringement notice for failing to keep control of his vehicle.
While police have charged Mam, it doesn't fall under the NRL No Fault Stand Down policy.
He was issued a notice to appear at Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 16.
โThe Club was notified this afternoon that charges have now been laid," Brisbane Broncos CEO Dave Donaghy said in a statement.
โWe will respect the legal process and will continue to work with the NRL Integrity Unit on next steps, as this matter moves forward.
โEzra is currently seeking external support and we will give him the time and space to do so.
โAs the matter is now before the courts, we are unable to make further comment on this matter.โ
Following the incident, more details have come to light as a mother and her four-year-old daughter were also hospitalised due to the unfortunate event in Brisbane's west.
โI've been in the game for a long time and seen many players go through many different situations,โ new Broncos coachย Michael Maguire said previously.
โYou learn a lot of lessons throughout your life. I'm not downgrading the situation. It's one we need to have a look at how he ended up getting to that situation.
โPeople will make mistakes but they've also got to own them. That's the big thing. If Ezra owns where he's at โฆ his actions moving forward are very important.
โHe's getting some help. When he works through that, I'll get some time with him and assess how everything's going.โ
BRISBANE SACK HIM , HUNT WILL BRING US A PREMIERSHIP B4 MAM WILL. WE CAN RESIGN STAGGS, COBBO, MOZER AND HAVE MONEY IN THE BANK. RENO 7. HUNT 6. AN MOZER 9. RECCE 1. WHAT A HEART BEAT BRISBANE WILL HAVE ESPECIALLY WITH STAGGS AN COBBO OUT IN THE BACKLINE. TELL HIM IF HE WANTS TO STAY AT BRISBANE U WILL LOOK AT HIS CONTACT A FINE HIM 50% THIS YEAR AND THAT HE WILL HAVE TO TAKE A 25% PAY CUT FOR NEXT 4 YEARS THAT LEAVE THE BRONX WITH 1m BACK. (HIT THESE YOUNG BLOKES IN THE POCKET WILL BE THE ONLY WAY THEY LEARN)
I think it does not matter whether Brisbane terminates his contract or, as Dutto suggests, they hit him with a really big fine.
Whatever they choose, it has to be big enough to send a clear message to the rest of the squad – if you act the fool, you’ll regret it !
Making excuses for his age and immaturity, and claiming “remorse” and giving him a dusting with a lettuce leaf – that will just reinforce in the minds of the squad that they can get away with anything.