Latest news with #EzraMam
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Massive double blow for Broncos an Qld after veteran suffers injury 'setback'
The Brisbane Broncos have been hit with a fresh blow after the bye round with Michael Maguire still unable to select Ben Hunt after the star suffered a slight setback during his recovery. Broncos coach Maguire is facing plenty of pressure to get the club back on a winning streak having only won two of his last eight games in charge. The Broncos were able to bounce back against the Titans before the bye thanks to the return of Reece Walsh with the squad able to rest up and reset before round 16. Maguire would have been hoping to have the experience of Hunt back for selection against the Sharks this weekend as the Broncos look to carry over the momentum against the 5th placed team. The veteran has not featured in the starting XIII after injuring himself in round 10. Hunt injured his hamstring against the Rabbitohs and limped off the field during the loss. In Hunt's absence, Ezra Mam slotted into five-eighth role after his NRL suspension came to an end. And the coach is expected to use Hunt as the No.9 when he returns, which would see Cory Paix or Billy Walters drop out of the side. Hunt has thrived in the representative arena throughout his career as a No.9, which saw him play some of his best footy for Queensland during State of Origin. While he has played as a halfback for the majority of his NRL career, he was always signed at the Broncos with the idea of playing a dummy-half role with Adam Reynolds their chief playmaker. But Maguire hasn't had the opportunity to start Hunt in this role and he will have to wait with the veteran set to spend another week on the sideline. Hunt hasn't recovered in time for the Sharks clash with his hamstring not ready. This could also be seen as a blow for Queensland coach Billy Slater. Harry Grant has enjoyed his best Origin moments coming off the bench for Queensland with Hunt starting and taking on the early workload. While Hunt was no certainty to play in 2025, Slater would have liked the option of choosing the veteran having chopped and changed his team for Game 2 in Perth. RELATED: Canberra Raiders 'fuming' after key figure signs with Roosters NRL world sends flood of messages over news about Yvonne Sampson Maguire will also be dealing with a setback to his thin forward pack stocks with an injury adding to the drama. The coach will be hoping NSW prop Payne Haas backs up after Origin on Wednesday with Ben Te Kura ruled out for six to eight weeks. Te Kura had only just joined the side in recent weeks having gone back to QLD Cup and proved his worth to Maguire in the first-half of the season. However, Te Kura will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on an injury, according to AAP reporter Joel Gould. Te Kura's injury could have also prompted Maguire to bolster the forward depth by signing journeyman forward Ben Talty with immediate effect. Talty has been in the Melbourne Storm system since 2023, plying his trade with the North Sydney Bears in the NSW Cup.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Footy star Cameron Munster reveals the staggering amount of money he lost over one split-second moment with a bag of white powder
NRL superstar Cameron Munster has revealed that the infamous 'white powder' scandal that saw him go to rehab for gambling and binge-drinking issues cost him almost $500,000. The newly appointed Queensland Maroons skipper has opened up about how an off-field incident left him with a staggering financial toll and almost derailed his entire footy career. Munster, who has been open about his struggles with gambling, alcoholism and anxiety, made headlines in 2021 after he was pictured with a white substance during a heavy drinking session with teammates. The 30-year-old was fined $130,000, forced to undergo treatment for alcohol and banned from drinking by the club for 12 months. 'I was down in the dumps that they were going to sack me,' Munster told News Corp. 'You always have things in your head and doubts as to whether the club would want me anymore. I had a loose mentality. 'There is a time and place for everything and the truth is I got myself into a downward spiral. 'I started hanging around the wrong people. 'Once I got into that space, I needed help to get out of it.' Munster checked himself into a rehab facility in Brisbane - the very same that Broncos star Ezra Mam attended following his recent controversies. The month-long stay cost him $80,000 - and the club wasn't helping out with any of the costs. Munster says that with lost sponsorships, fines and legal bills, the whole affair cost him around half-a-million dollars. 'At the end of the day, the Storm wanted to do the best thing for me and that meant going to where I went,' he said. 'I agreed to do it. 'I had to change my life. 'In rehab, I learnt who my close friends were. 'You get to the professional stage of rugby league with the limelight and it might not be rock star status, but I started to think I was a rock star. 'I needed to see who my real friends were. 'To be honest, I learnt there wasn't a whole heap there for me. I have a small circle now and it's one of those periods where I had to grow up and I believe I have. 'Looking back, I'm glad I did it. It's been for the better.' Munster, who now has three kids with his wife Bianca, now leads a more settled life. 'I'm not going to say I'm off the piss forever, but I'm not out of control now,' he said. 'I play my best footy when I'm off the piss and I haven't had a beer for a while actually. 'It's now one of those things where it's time and place. 'Hangovers aren't fun when you have kids at home. 'All they want is to spend time with their dad and mum and I want to be that dad spending time with them and giving them the best life they can have. 'The last thing you want to do is be sleeping for 10 hours the next day and not being present as a dad. 'I've had my years of fun and now I'm devoted to my family. I want to lead them in the right direction as young growing men and a young daughter. 'My wife Bianca and kids have been an integral part of my journey and I'm really grateful that they walked into my life.'
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
$1m sacrifice as Reynolds rejects Sydney club for new Broncos deal — with one condition
Adam Reynolds has reportedly rejected a contract offer from Wests Tigers to finalise a one-year extension with the Brisbane Broncos, making a $1 million sacrifice to stay loyal. CODE Sports reported on Saturday night that the Broncos captain and halfback had just knocked back a $1.5 million, two-year Tigers offer with the intention of staying in Brisbane, where he has played since 2022 and settled with his family. The contract, for a season in which he will turn 36, would be for about $500,000 but come with the condition that post-playing career opportunities are included in the agreement. The Broncos would only entertain a one-year deal given Reynolds' age and their salary cap position. His deal for this year is reportedly worth about $550,000 and he has avoided a drastic cut, with claims earlier this season that the Broncos may only be able to offer $300,000. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Reynolds remains one of the NRL's premier game managers and kickers, and his retention will see him remain in the Brisbane halves mix with fellow veteran Ben Hunt and controversial star Ezra Mam. The touted future of the Broncos' playmaking stocks, Coby Black, is still learning his trade in Queensland Cup football. Reynolds would have partnered NSW Origin star Jarome Luai had he joined the Tigers, with Latu Fainu the club's longer-term prospect at No.7. 'Adam wants to finish his career at Brisbane,' his agent Steve Gillis said. 'His family is settled there, so that's what we are working towards.' Brisbane, who have a bye this weekend, are seventh on the ladder as of Sunday, having endured a rocky 6-7 start under new coach Michael Maguire. The club has been beset by claims about the coach's hardline approach leading to strained relationships with players, though Reynolds' finest NRL moment came when he won a premiership under Maguire with South Sydney in 2014. CODE also reported that the Broncos were set to announce a contract extension for gun centre Kotoni Staggs within the next week. The big unknown with their roster remains fellow flyer Selwyn Cobbo — who is off-contract, was dropped last week and could earn more at other clubs — while champion prop Payne Haas is weighing up the market despite a preference to stay at Brisbane
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
NRL club mourns fan who died in tragic scenes at their home ground just moments before kick-off in milestone match
The Broncos are in mourning after a fan died at Suncorp Stadium moments before their clash against the Gold Coast Titans on June 7. Brisbane boss Dave Donaghy confirmed a club supporter suffered a heart attack in the stands as halfback Adam Reynolds prepared to run out for his 300th NRL game. Suncorp Stadium management and the Broncos provide on-site paramedics for all home games - but tragically, the man couldn't be revived. Relatives of the man informed the club of the news, and the Broncos will donate a jersey to be placed on his coffin. 'It was horribly sad,' Donaghy told News Corp. 'Our thoughts are with the family right now and of course we will do whatever we can to support them at this difficult time. 'The first responders on the night were remarkable, I couldn't imagine the job they had to do in difficult circumstances.' Meanwhile, Broncos star Pat Carrigan has backed teammate Ezra Mam following the controversial pivot's selection in the Queensland Origin squad. Mam recently returned to the NRL following a nine-game ban after pleading guilty to driving with drugs in his system and without a licence, following a head-on collision with an Uber last October. Many footy fans felt Mam should have been punished more severely. 'Look, he made a well-publicised mistake and he had to own that,' Carrigan said. 'We know what Ezra has more than well and truly done enough work on himself and he continues to do so. 'It (Origin camp) is a good opportunity for him, you get into these sort of environments and you get to learn from guys like Cameron Munster and Tommy Dearden, how they prepare and how they go about things. 'Those experiences will be good for the Broncos too. Ezra's done a lot of hard work outside of it and it's nice to see him get rewarded.' As 18th man, Mam could feature in game two in Perth on June 18 for the Maroons if there is a concussion-related injury.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Under-pressure Brisbane Broncos take extraordinary measure after recent controversies and rumours of player unrest engulf the club
A recent number of controversial incidents have forced the Brisbane Broncos to take a huge measure to maintain the club's reputation. Following the fallout relating to Ezra Mam's car crash, Reece Walsh's punch video and the sacking of Marty Taupau, the Broncos have hired a crisis management expert, according to reports. Buzz Rothfield of The Courier Mail writes that Grant Williams, a renowned reputation management expert, has joined the club. The NRL journalist added that Williams was 'rushed in to protect the club and its brand'. The footy club have been dragged into several off-field controversies this year, and the club have opted to draft in a crisis management expert to provide advice on multiple operational matters. Rothfield adds that Williams, who has previously worked with the NRL's media and communications set-up and worked as an advisor to NSW Police commissioner Mick Fuller, will work with players and managers at the club. That work is due to pertains mostly to their responsibilities in line with the NRL's rules on conduct and social media use. Mam pleaded guilty to one count of driving with a relevant drug in his system and another count of driving without a licence for an incident that took place in Bardon, Brisbane, last October. He was fined $120,000 by the NRL and the Broncos and handed a nine-match ban after he had crashed into an Uber taxi, injuring a four-year-old girl. Meanwhile, the Broncos were left furious at Walsh after he uploaded a bizarre and worrying video of himself appearing to punch a friend with a boxing glove on. Another player, Taupau parted company from the football club on amicable terms after he had appeared to like a social media post openly criticising Michael Maguire. The Broncos boss himself has also had a turbulent induction to life at the Clive Berghofer Centre. Williams' website states that he is a 'public affairs, strategic communications and media management advisory, providing crisis, issues and reputation management to companies organisations, family offices, boards, chairs chief executive officers, professionals and individuals.' His website adds that Williams will: 'personally prepare you for any crisis or issue' as well as 'identifying risks before they happen and provide a 24/7 urgent and bespoke response when they do'. Williams told Rothfield: 'The Broncos are a tremendous club and I'm looking forward to supporting their team with strategic counsel where required.' On the pitch, the Broncos have had a mixed season, despite being pipped to be a premiership contender prior to 2025. However, they have struggled to consistently perform, with Brisbane having won only one of their last five matches. Earlier this week, boss Dave Donaghy has also criticised claims that there is a fractured changing room at the club, throwing his support behind Maguire. There have been suggestions that the Broncos boss is facing a player revolt, but Donaghy said: 'The talk of unrest is simply not true. 'I'm not there every day, but I have asked the football department to give me some feedback if there is some discontent and I've had nothing come back of that nature. 'I have asked questions. We had a board meeting last week, we had 'Madge' in to talk about things and one of the directors was at training and they called me and said the players have been nothing but positive of Madge. 'Myself and the directors walk around the club and we get a feel if there's some major issues. We see none of that. The issue we see is Madge has come into reset a team and it could take longer than we thought.'
