Ezra Mam keen for big 2020 after injury-plagued year

Talented half Ezra Mam is hoping 2020 will be better after injuries saw him sidelined several times during the year. 

The year started well for the Souths Acacia Ridge gun, who is affiliated with the Brisbane Broncos through their development program. He was selected in the Under 16 Emerging Origin squad and took part in the camp at Currimundi in January.

Mam was then selected to captain the Queensland Under 16 Murri side, but sustained a facial injury during a training session in camp and could not play. 

“It’s a privilege to be able to play in the Murri team and represent your culture, who you are, your family and where you come from,” Mam, originally from Cairns, said before being ruled out. 

The young gun, inspired by North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland Maroons legend Matty Bowen, then played for South East Queensland Green at the Junior State Championships in July. 

Mam was most recently picked in the Queensland Under 16 City team, but could not play due to a shoulder injury.

“It’s a good feeling to make the team - I’ll be sitting out because of my shoulder that I injured at the state carnival," Mam said. 

“Pretty disappointed to make the team but not play, but that’s how the cookie crumbles."

Mam said his role during camp, leading up to the September 29 clash with the Queensland Under 16 Country side at Dolphin Stadium, was to help morale. 

The Ambrose Treacy College student said he hoped to be ready to rock again once pre season training began in November. 

“I’m hoping to finish my rehab in time for pre season with Souths Logan," Mam said, adding his ultimate goal next year was to make the Australian Schoolboys team. 

"I'm working towards those goals."

And longer term?

“I’d love to one day play in the NRL to make my family proud, with all the sacrifices they’ve made, I want to be able to make them proud," Mam said earlier in the year.