Mam ‘nearly ready’ to make debut

THE Broncos are set to blood one of their most exciting whiz-kids of the past decade, with Ezra Mam closing in on his NRL debut.

Coach Kevin Walters has hailed the 19-year-old playmaking sensation as the future of the Broncos and revealed his plan to blood Mam in the top grade later this season.

The classy teenager was the Queensland Cup’s rookie of the year last season and has scored 16 tries from as many games for feeder-club Souths Logan as he bangs down the door for Broncos selection.

Mam, who has the speed and footwork of a young Anthony Milford, has already been promoted to a full-time contract and Walters confirmed the Indigenous young gun (pictured) is on track to make his NRL debut.

“He is not far away,” Walters said. “Ezra has great talent, but we don’t want to bring him in too early into a team that isn’t playing consistent footy, because he will be under the most pressure. He is still learning his trade and he is a good talent. He will get his chance in the near future. He has that Xfactor. One of the things he has been working hard on is his defence and his running game, it’s very good.

“Sometimes players don’t focus on their strengths and get their weaknesses up, which is not my theory.

“It’s important to work on your weaker areas but his strength is his running game and he needs to continue to build on that.

“I noticed in the Queensland Cup, when he is running the ball, good things are happening.”

Mam got a taste of senior football with his debut in Brisbane’s opening trial against Wynnum Manly in February and he was outstanding, giving Walters confidence the rookie can handle the step up to NRL.

While Mam is only a teenager, his progress will be helped by having the experience of champion halfback Adam Reynolds to guide him along.

“I haven’t put a timeline on (when he plays NRL), but he’s got some talent and we need to see how good that talent is at the next level,” Walters said.