Have you watched him? Maroons defend Mam's selection
Billy Slater has defended picking Ezra Mam for State of Origin just three games after his return from a drug-driving ban, adamant the Brisbane star will add to Queensland's squad.
Mam is expected to be rolled out as 18th man for next Wednesday's must-win clash at Optus Stadium in Perth, after being named in Slater's 20-man squad.
The uncapped Maroon will undergo scans on his knee before entering camp on Monday, after copping a knock in the Broncos' win over Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Queensland are confident he will be fit to line up, with Slater describing the injury as a "bump" when he unveiled his squad on Monday morning.
It was always going to be contentious, with Slater dropping captain Daly Cherry-Evans and picking Tom Dearden to wear the No.7 jersey.
But Mam's selection has added to the headlines.
The Brisbane five-eighth copped a nine-match ban for crashing a car while driving unlicensed and with drugs in his system last October.
Three occupants of the Uber he collided with were injured, including a woman and her young daughter.
Mam was fined $120,000 by the NRL and subsequently attended a rehabilitation facility and worked on a job site before returning to pre-season training in January.
Slater said he had not had a chance to sense how remorseful Mam was, having only spoken to the 22-year-old on Sunday night to inform him of his selection.
"He's the right person for that position right now," Slater said.
"I am sure people will have their speculation around all the people selected. That is OK, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
"He has been doing a great job since he returned. We feel the squad will benefit from him being here."
Mam has played three NRL games since his return to the playing arena and was booed repeatedly by the Brookvale Oval crowd in the recent 34-6 loss to Manly.
But Slater said there was no question over whether the Indigenous star had done enough to prove his worth to the Maroons squad.
"Have you watched the couple of games back? He has been pretty good, I don't think he has skipped a beat," Slater said.
"By all reports he has been doing a lot of training through the first half of the year while he was sitting out.
"He has been in this position before and been part of this squad before. I am sure he will take his opportunity if presented."
On one level Mam's inclusion should come as no surprise.
After his three-try display in the 2023 grand final he was brought into his first pre-season Maroons camp in February of 2024.
Slater then invited him into camp ahead of game one of the 2024 Origin series as a player identified as a potential long-term in Queensland player.
Billy Slater has defended picking Ezra Mam for State of Origin just three games after his return from a drug-driving ban, adamant the Brisbane star will add to Queensland's squad.
Mam is expected to be rolled out as 18th man for next Wednesday's must-win clash at Optus Stadium in Perth, after being named in Slater's 20-man squad.
The uncapped Maroon will undergo scans on his knee before entering camp on Monday, after copping a knock in the Broncos' win over Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Queensland are confident he will be fit to line up, with Slater describing the injury as a "bump" when he unveiled his squad on Monday morning.
It was always going to be contentious, with Slater dropping captain Daly Cherry-Evans and picking Tom Dearden to wear the No.7 jersey.
But Mam's selection has added to the headlines.
The Brisbane five-eighth copped a nine-match ban for crashing a car while driving unlicensed and with drugs in his system last October.
Three occupants of the Uber he collided with were injured, including a woman and her young daughter.
Mam was fined $120,000 by the NRL and subsequently attended a rehabilitation facility and worked on a job site before returning to pre-season training in January.
Slater said he had not had a chance to sense how remorseful Mam was, having only spoken to the 22-year-old on Sunday night to inform him of his selection.
"He's the right person for that position right now," Slater said.
"I am sure people will have their speculation around all the people selected. That is OK, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
"He has been doing a great job since he returned. We feel the squad will benefit from him being here."
Mam has played three NRL games since his return to the playing arena and was booed repeatedly by the Brookvale Oval crowd in the recent 34-6 loss to Manly.
But Slater said there was no question over whether the Indigenous star had done enough to prove his worth to the Maroons squad.
"Have you watched the couple of games back? He has been pretty good, I don't think he has skipped a beat," Slater said.
"By all reports he has been doing a lot of training through the first half of the year while he was sitting out.
"He has been in this position before and been part of this squad before. I am sure he will take his opportunity if presented."
On one level Mam's inclusion should come as no surprise.
After his three-try display in the 2023 grand final he was brought into his first pre-season Maroons camp in February of 2024.
Slater then invited him into camp ahead of game one of the 2024 Origin series as a player identified as a potential long-term in Queensland player.
Billy Slater has defended picking Ezra Mam for State of Origin just three games after his return from a drug-driving ban, adamant the Brisbane star will add to Queensland's squad.
Mam is expected to be rolled out as 18th man for next Wednesday's must-win clash at Optus Stadium in Perth, after being named in Slater's 20-man squad.
The uncapped Maroon will undergo scans on his knee before entering camp on Monday, after copping a knock in the Broncos' win over Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Queensland are confident he will be fit to line up, with Slater describing the injury as a "bump" when he unveiled his squad on Monday morning.
It was always going to be contentious, with Slater dropping captain Daly Cherry-Evans and picking Tom Dearden to wear the No.7 jersey.
But Mam's selection has added to the headlines.
The Brisbane five-eighth copped a nine-match ban for crashing a car while driving unlicensed and with drugs in his system last October.
Three occupants of the Uber he collided with were injured, including a woman and her young daughter.
Mam was fined $120,000 by the NRL and subsequently attended a rehabilitation facility and worked on a job site before returning to pre-season training in January.
Slater said he had not had a chance to sense how remorseful Mam was, having only spoken to the 22-year-old on Sunday night to inform him of his selection.
"He's the right person for that position right now," Slater said.
"I am sure people will have their speculation around all the people selected. That is OK, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
"He has been doing a great job since he returned. We feel the squad will benefit from him being here."
Mam has played three NRL games since his return to the playing arena and was booed repeatedly by the Brookvale Oval crowd in the recent 34-6 loss to Manly.
But Slater said there was no question over whether the Indigenous star had done enough to prove his worth to the Maroons squad.
"Have you watched the couple of games back? He has been pretty good, I don't think he has skipped a beat," Slater said.
"By all reports he has been doing a lot of training through the first half of the year while he was sitting out.
"He has been in this position before and been part of this squad before. I am sure he will take his opportunity if presented."
On one level Mam's inclusion should come as no surprise.
After his three-try display in the 2023 grand final he was brought into his first pre-season Maroons camp in February of 2024.
Slater then invited him into camp ahead of game one of the 2024 Origin series as a player identified as a potential long-term in Queensland player.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
35 minutes ago
- News.com.au
BRC boss Karl deKroo hits out at ‘chronic underfunding' as Eagle Farm spectator future clouded with closure of John Power Stand
Brisbane Racing Club boss Karl deKroo has hit out at a long-term 'chronic underfunding of metropolitan thoroughbred racing in Brisbane' as Eagle Farm faces an clouded future over its main spectator facility. Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap Day is the marquee event of racing in Queensland and will be staged at headquarters at Eagle Farm on Saturday. But deKroo said there was 'no clear path forward' for operating the state's premier track for spectators and owners beyond next year's Stradbroke because the major spectator facility, the John Power Stand, will be closed in August next year. Beyond that, independent engineers have insisted there will be no extensions to the safe use of the ageing stand. It is understood the BRC needed to spend almost $200,000 in maintenance to ensure the safe use of John Power Stand for this Stradbroke Season. It has budgeted a further $600,000 to nurse the stand through to when it is condemned. deKroo said State Government investment was needed in the short-term to ensure the business could continue to operate and stage race meetings. 'We're now just over 12 months away from the forced closure of the John Power Stand, which is our main spectator facility at Eagle Farm,' BRC CEO deKroo said. 'Unfortunately, at this point we have no clear path forward. 'While we will be able to deliver the 2026 Stradbroke Season, it will be difficult for us to continue operating Eagle Farm for spectators and owners beyond that unless we begin work on some well-scoped contingency plans in the near future. 'We've been encouraged by positive discussions with Racing Minister Tim Mander and the Queensland Government. 'Unfortunately, this is a problem that has been inherited by the new Government, but they understand what's at stake. 'This isn't just about a grandstand in Brisbane, it's about investing in infrastructure befitting of the headquarters of racing in the state. 'It is also an investment in a racetrack that ultimately keeps the entire Queensland racing industry running.' It is understood the BRC is attempting to work on a staged funding plan with Government of $150m to $160m over three to four years. That would include refurbishment of the existing Paddock Stand and Members Stand together with the addition of temporary infrastructure to carry the club through an initial period after the John Power Stand closure. The ultimate aim is a replacement stand being delivered by 2029-2030. While there has been significant investment in other racing projects in the regions, including a new $100m greyhound facility at Purga near Ipswich and major investment on the Gold Coast thoroughbred track including lights, deKroo insisted the city racing scene needed more love. 'Unfortunately, over a long period there has been chronic underfunding of metropolitan thoroughbred racing in Brisbane,' deKroo said. 'It is not for us to debate the merits of investment in other areas. 'Pleasingly there is a growing recognition that racing in Queensland is only as strong as its metropolitan club. 'If these issues aren't addressed, the consequences will be felt across the entire state. • Grounded Corey flying high ahead of dream Group 1 bid 'Eagle Farm and Doomben are the economic engine room of Queensland racing. 'They are the primary drivers of an industry which a recent Racing Queensland report says delivers more than $2.5 billion in economic benefit to the state. 'If we lose momentum here, we put that at jeopardy and lose the capacity to fund prize money and support country and regional clubs.' The BRC has offered an undisclosed financial contribution towards the project.
ABC News
43 minutes ago
- ABC News
NSW Blues State of Origin member Keaon Koloamatangi realistic about chances of playing game two
South Sydney enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi is realistic about missing out on the NSW starting 17 after the dominant performance from the Blues' big men in Origin I. Despite the Rabbitohs forward having arguably the best month of his career, racking up over 200 run metres in each of his past four games, he said he did not expect coach Laurie Daley to change his winning formula. ABC Sport will have live blog coverage of the State of Origin series. An ACL tear to Warriors forward Mitch Barnett opened the door for a new forward in the NSW team, but Daley chose to elevate game one squad member Stefano Utoikamanu, with Koloamatangi coming onto the extended bench. "Obviously you want to be able to play and be in the 17, but everything happens for a reason," Koloamatangi said. "The team would have been obviously unchanged because of the dominant win in game one, so I'm just happy to be here." The 27-year-old said he was eager to learn from the likes of game-one hero Payne Haas at the Blues' camp. Koloamatangi played one game of Origin in 2022 and will use his NSW recall to soak up the confident atmosphere before game two in Perth next Wednesday. "You can always improve your game no matter how good you are," Koloamatangi said on Tuesday. "I'm just looking forward to being able to train with the boys and see what they're doing on a daily basis that people don't see." Another unlucky player on Daley's extended bench is 18th man Matt Burton, who will now miss Canterbury's game against Koloamatangi's Rabbitohs on Sunday. Burton is no stranger to the number 18 jersey, having filled the role several times for NSW in the past. But he said preparing as a utility presented unique challenges. "Eighteenth man's a bit tricky. You don't know where you're going to get to come on," Burton said. "It's just about me getting my reps during the week at different positions and go from there." Burton's club coach Cameron Ciraldo has been critical in the past of not being able to pick Origin 18th men for club duties, but his five-eighth insists his coach is full of good wishes for the experience. "[Ciraldo] was pumped for me to be back in this arena and around the group," Burton said. "We [the Bulldogs] obviously want players in this arena so he didn't say too much, just, 'Enjoy the week.'" AAP
The Australian
2 hours ago
- The Australian
Ownership group split over Front Page's bid for Stradbroke glory
The Matt Dale-trained Front Page scored a ticket into the $3m Stradbroke with his thrilling victory in last Saturday's Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm. Some of the owners were concerned about the short back-up and the extra 200m that Front Page would have to run in a fast-paced Group 1 at Eagle Farm on Saturday. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! However, 55 per cent of the owners voted to push on and pay the $90,000 late entry fee to compete for the $1.8m winner's cheque, with local jockey Damien Thornton to ride the eight-year-old this weekend. 'I voted no,' said 73-year-old Geoff Duryea, who bred and trained Front Page until handing the reins to Dale in mid-2023. 'Our vision was originally to take him up there (to Brisbane), run him in that big race (the Moreton Cup), give him a month off and then head towards the Kosciuszko again. 'We got outvoted but that's the way it goes.' Duryea said it was the first time the ownership group had been split over the direction of Front Page, which had stress fracture problems as a youngster. 'We've gone six years without a disagreement because he had a fair few issues when he was young so we've had to nurse him a fair bit before he matured properly,' Duryea said. 'It's the first time we've ever had a vote on where he's going to run. 'He's more than repaid us for our patience. I hope like hell he puts his boof-head out and wins the Stradbroke.' READ: * Read: Mates will be shaken and stirred if Straddie horse wins at $201 The owners had to pay a $90,000 late entry fee to get Front Page into the Stradbroke, where Thornton will ride at 52.5kg. 'He's absolutely eating everything up every feed, he's bright, happy and very sound,' trainer Matt Dale said on Wednesday. 'The decision was made based on that and a favourable weather forecast.' But not everyone was on board to race the winner of more than $3.5m in prizemoney in Queensland's premier race. 'I was a 'no',' part-owner and Geoff's son Paul Duryea said. 'The seven-day backup, which we've never done with him, and the fact that the Stradbroke was never on the radar. The 1400m on a quick back-up in a Group 1 (was another concern). 'Throughout his whole life we've always put him first, hence why he's only had 29 starts. 'It's never been about the money for us, it's always been about trying to find the right race that we think he can win. 'Everyone's super proud of what he's done. What he's done for us has been huge, it's unbelievable.' Horse Racing In the wake of trainer James Cummings' flagged departure to Hong Kong, Godolphin has confirmed 'interested parties' are inquiring about its Sydney facilities … but Winx's part-owner isn't one of them. Horse Racing Big-time owner Rupert Legh has won three Stradbrokes but says he won't be backing his favourite War Machine at the short odds on offer in the 2025 edition of Queensland's greatest race.
