Broncos coach Michael Maguire has ignored the advice of Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler and reportedly selected Ezra Mam on the bench for the NRL preliminary final against the Panthers. Debate erupted on the Footy Show on Channel 9 on Sunday as to what Maguire should do with his halves, with Johns and Fittler both declaring Mam should start at five-eighth alongside Adam Reynolds.
But Queensland coach Billy Slater said he’d keep Hunt in the halves and have Mam start on the bench. According to reports, Maguire has followed Slater’s line of thinking and will name Mam on the interchange bench on Tuesday afternoon.
Andrew Johns (L) had called for Michael Maguire (R) to thrust Ezra Mam straight into the Broncos’ starting side. Image: Getty
Reynolds and Mam are both back from hamstring injuries and have trained well all week. Broncos legend Gorden Tallis previously questioned whether Reynolds should be recalled, after pointing to the superb form of Hunt in the halfback’s absence. The Broncos have won five from five with Hunt wearing the No.7 jersey and the veteran playmaker has helped unlock Brisbane’s gun attacking weapons Reece Walsh and Kotoni Staggs.
Hunt also kicked the winning field goal in golden point against Canberra in week one of the finals, booking Brisbane’s spot in Sunday’s prelim. But Maguire earlier hinted that if Reynolds is declared fit for the grand final qualifier against Penrith, he’d almost certainly pick the skipper.
Adam Reynolds’ (L) expected return at halfback for Brisbane’s prelim final against Penrith has sparked debate around where the likes of Ben Hunt (R) should play. Pic: Getty
Reynolds was close to returning for week one of the finals, but after re-aggravating his hamstring injury before the playoffs, Brisbane played it safe and held off on his comeback. Maguire said the premiership-winner’s finals experience can’t be understated after throwing his support behind the veteran. Reynolds won the 2014 grand final under Maguire at South Sydney and is the only player in the Broncos’ squad to taste premiership success.
“At this time of year, experience is so important. ’Reyno’ has been to many finals series and he has played in three grand finals. He has won a premiership,” Maguire told News Corp. “At this time of the season, it’s about making sure you are picking the right people in the right places and Reyno definitely has the experience. I will assess the side this week.”
NRL legends divided over Brisbane’s huge selection calls
Reynolds and Mam’s returns divided opinion between NRL legends Johns, Slater and Fittler about how Maguire should set the Broncos up against the Panthers. All three suggested Reynolds would slot back in at halfback, with Johns and Fittler arguing Hunt would be most effective off the bench.
“Hunt to the bench, but it’s a big decision,” Johns told Nine’s Sunday Footy Show. “With Ben Hunt at halfback it’s changed the way they play, particularly on the right side with Kotoni. That’s been the big one. Ben Hunt’s unlocked Kotoni on that right side so it’s a good headache to have.”
Fittler added: “I’d have Hunt on the bench, just because hooker is such an important position. “You get him coming on later, striking out of dummy half. And I’d just leave the five-eighth (positions) to five-eighths.”
NRL legends Billy Slater (L) and Andrew Johns (R) offered differing views on Broncos coach Michael Maguire’s (centre) huge selection call for the Panthers prelim. Pic: Getty
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But Maroons coach Slater offered a different take, and argued that Mam would be an ideal player to come off the bench and slot into five-eighth, where he could create havoc against a tiring opposition defence with his speed and craft. Slater said it would allow Hunt to shift into hooker where he’s starred at Origin level for Queensland, and allow starting No.9 Cory Paix to have a breather.
“I’d go Reece Walsh (at fullback), Adam Reynolds at halfback, Ben Hunt at six and I’d put Ezra Mam on the bench,” Slater said. “And then you can actually give Cory Paix a rest, put Ben Hunt at dummy half and then bring Ezra (Mam) on fresh.”
The Broncos will have the advantage of a home prelim at Suncorp Stadium and an extra week’s rest over Penrith, who ended Canterbury’s season in style on Sunday. But Maguire admits there’s ‘still a lot of work to be done’ before they can start dreaming about winning Brisbane’s first premiership since 2006, with Ivan Cleary’s red-hot Panthers set to provide the sternest test to the credentials.