Mam eyes duel with mentor Milford

EZRA Mam has revealed how Anthony Milford’s departure from the Broncos paved the way for his shock emergence in the NRL as the Brisbane teenager braces for a showdown with his former mentor on Saturday night.

Newcastle recruit Milford returns to Suncorp Stadium for the first time to face the club where he was once the golden boy in the No.6 jumper on Brisbane’s first-ever $1m-aseason contract.

Now Milford confronts another Broncos playmaking prodigy in Mam, the ultra-cool 19-year-old who has burst onto the top-grade scene this season, forging a slick halves partnership with Adam Reynolds.

Mam can see the irony in his scrumbase duel with Milford. With his fast feet and dynamic attacking style, not only does Mam resemble a young Milford but it was a sliding doors moment involving “Milf” that opened the door for his rise to NRL stardom.

Dropped to the Queensland Cup last year, Milford was sent to train and play with Brisbane’s feeder club, Souths Logan. But when Milford was recalled to the Broncos after a late injury, Mam (pictured) was called up from the Magpies Colts to make

his Queensland Cup debut. Then just 18, Mam finished with a hat-trick against the Capras and, 12 months later, following Milford’s axing at the Broncos, here he is.

The intertwining careers of Milford and Mam are compelling. When Mam made his NRL debut for the Broncos in May, his first opponent was Newcastle – on the same night Milford was playing his maiden game for the Knights.

“Milf has been a good mentor for me,” Mam said.

“When he was back at Souths Logan, he helped me. I trained with him for a bit.

“He was actually the reason I got my Intrust Super Cup debut, he got called into the Broncos team at the last minute and that opened the door for me.”