Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Ezra Mam bench selection has put fresh focus on the Brisbane Broncos after coach Michael Maguire dropped the five-eighth from the starting side for Saturday’s NRL clash with the Gold Coast Titans.
The Broncos are trying to stop a four-game losing run, with young gun Tom Duffy named to partner Adam Reynolds in the halves as Maguire searches for a sharper reaction from his team.
For more NRL coverage, read Reece Walsh State of Origin Snub: Broncos Star Admits He Fell Short of Queensland Standards.
Mam Pays Price For Poor Form
Mam has struggled to match his best form this season, with his defence coming under close review during Brisbane’s recent slide.
“It’s hard to argue with given how poor he (Mam) has been,” The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis said.
“Usually he plays his best when the big dogs are missing but they’ve been there largely this year and he just hasn’t set the world on fire we saw on the back end of last year so I have no issue about him getting dropped.”
Brent Read said Brisbane still need Mam at No.6 if they want to be a serious finals threat, but understood why Maguire made the move.
“He needs to be at six if the Broncos are to make a dent in this comp. With respect to Tom Duffy, they aren’t going to win a comp with Duffy,” Read said.
Broncos Face Season-Defining Test
Brisbane’s loss to St. George Illawarra came after the bye, when Maguire gave his players four days off to freshen up.
The plan did not work, with the Broncos starting slowly and falling behind 14-0 early against the Dragons.
“I can understand why Madge has done it because this side needs a rocket under it and dropping Mam to the bench is a rocket.
“This is a huge game. The pressure is mounting and the noise has started,” Carayannis added.
A defeat to the Gold Coast Titans would leave Brisbane needing eight wins from their final 11 matches to reach the finals. Official updates are available through the NRL website.