‘Make the statement’: How Cronk would have handled Mam’s return differently to Broncos

The Broncos have brought star playmaker Ezra Mam back too soon according to an NRL legend, even though the club is dealing with an injury crisis in the halves.

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Mam is set to make his first NRL start in 2025 this weekend against the Dragons in a Kayo exclusive on Sunday afternoon (2pm AEST) after serving a nine-game suspension for an off-field incident.

Mam played one game in the Queensland Cup for Souths Logan before earning the call up to first grade amid a growing casualty ward at the Broncos with halves Ben Hunt and Jock Madden set for sideline stints.

Hunt, who has been the Broncos’ five-eighth through the first 10 rounds this season, will miss at least a month with a hamstring injury.

With coach Michael Maguire giving Mam the nod, he’ll take Hunt’s spot and slot into the halves alongside Adam Reynolds.

In a double blow to Brisbane’s depth, Madden will miss several months after suffering a torn pectoral in reserve grade.

Despite the fact the Broncos are now light on playmakers, Fox League’s Cooper Cronk says he would’ve made a statement, and kept Mam in Queensland Cup.

“I know Ben Hunt is injured and Ezra Mam is a gamebreaker, but I think Ezra Mam needs to earn that jersey more. I would put him in reserve grade for at least another couple of weeks,” Cronk told foxsports.com.au.

“I think Ezra Mam is a point of difference. He can be a spark that helps the Broncos but I would sit him in reserve grade and make him earn that jersey more.

“We’ll never know what (Michael) Maguire would have done if Hunt hadn’t got injured, but even now, I would still not have Ezra Mam in my side.

“I would make the statement of him not being in my team. I’d make him play Queensland Cup for another month.”

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While they still sit inside the top eight, with as many wins as losses this season, it has so far been an underwhelming 2025 campaign for the NRL’s biggest club.

There’s no doubt that their best football is outstanding and as good as any other team, but consistency has been an issue.

Another concern has been their lack of fight in certain games when it’s a tough tussle.

Cronk believes this group need to learn how to win on the back of their defence and eke out narrow victories when things aren’t going all their way.

Kayo Sports is the only place to watch the Broncos vs. Dragons clash this Sunday at 2pm AEST. LIVE in 4K with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer >

“If the Broncos can win five of their next seven games and they can win some of those 18-12, 14-4, 16-10 or something like that, I think that’s better for them in the back end of the season than winning by huge margins the next five weeks in a row,” Cronk said.

“I feel like they need to pick up some hard lessons of rugby league and if they find that, then they are a better chance in September then firing on all cylinders now.

“They need to defend their way to wins as opposed to winning by big margins.

“It’s not necessarily about winning this weekend, it’s about winning in 10 weeks time.”

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