Players talk about highs and lows but in 22-year-old Mam's case the fact he will play in his second decider in three years on Sunday is testament to the way he has ridden those peaks and troughs and prevailed.
Mam was suspended by the NRL for nine matches and fined $120,000 after he pleaded guilty to a drug driving charge in December last year.
He returned with a bang to score five tries and create 10 try assists in 10 matches before tearing his hamstring in Brisbane's 22-2 loss in Melbourne in round 23.
His redemption story had all of a sudden hit a brick wall.
Mam initially thought the injury was a twinge and was preparing to run back out the same night until reality set in, confirmed by a scan. It was a bad tear and both the Broncos and Mam thought the worse.
"Initially I thought my season was over but I never counted myself out," Mam said.
"I wasn't too sure early on if I was going to get back but as we progressed the injury started to get better.
"When I realised I could return it was just all guns blazing to get back on the field.
"I am very grateful to the physios and performance staff. They have put the faith in me."
Brisbane coach Michael Maguire was prepared to take a punt on injecting Mam off the bench against Penrith in the preliminary final and playing veteran Ben Hunt at five-eighth. It worked a treat in a 16-14 win. Mam has been named at No.14 again against the Storm and is ready to adapt once more.
"It was a bit different. I have never been on the bench before in my whole life," Mam said.
"I was trying to get my head around the routine of staying warm.
"The other boys already had their routine but I was a lost soul on the bench. It was just good to get back on the field and play some footy and get to the grand final.
"It was good coming on fresh when everyone was tired but we will see what the plan is on Sunday and go from there."
Mam famously scored three tries in the 26-24 grand-final loss to the Panthers and has no fear of the big stage.
"I don't think I have ever got nervous before games," Mam said.
"All of that (in 2023) happened pretty fast. I was just playing footy."
The Broncos let that premiership slip, leading 24-8 after Mam's third try.
"It was heartbreaking," he said.
"Heartbreak comes with experiences and you learn from it. Hopefully we learn from that and play the full game this time."
During his suspension Mam was in the headlines for wrong reasons but has worked hard to redeem himself.
"I've grown a lot the last year and am working hard to mature.That is going to come with time," he said.
"It is about making the right decisions.
"(Rock bottom) was just knowing that I let people down. I was trying to get their trust back and dealing with that was tough. That's in the past and I am looking forward to dealing with next week."
Mam has been booed by away fans and may cop it again in Sydney on Sunday.
"I have been fine with it," Mam said.
"I can't control what other people think. I am just worried about myself and doing my role in the team and everyone here in Brisbane proud."
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