‘Coach Whisperer’ Bradley Stubbs lobs at Broncos training
One of the most intriguing figures in Australian sport has been spotted at Red Hill as Kevin Walters ramps up preparations for the NRL season.
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He is the mysterious ‘Coach Whisperer’ — and he has descended on the Broncos.
One of the most intriguing figures in Australian sport has been spotted at Red Hill with motivational guru Bradley Stubbs making a cameo appearance on Friday to support Broncos coach Kevin Walters ahead of Saturday’s trial against the Cowboys.
A former professional surfer who once revealed he had two stints in a psychiatric ward, Stubbs has found success working with some of Australian sport’s top coaches including Trent Robinson, Michael Maguire, Eddie Jones, Graham Arnold and Michael Cheika.
More recently, he became one of the major narratives of the 2019 State of Origin series when then Maroons mentor Walters hired Stubbs to give Queensland a mental edge in their quest for interstate supremacy.
Stubbs, who has reportedly charged $5500 an hour to teach his ‘Science of Belief’ program, predicted Queensland would win 3-0 under Walters.
The Maroons lost 2-1.
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But there can be no disputing Stubbs’ other successes. As he sat in the BBQ area at Red Hill to watch the Broncos train, an NRL premiership ring shimmered on his right hand, a gift from Roosters coach Trent Robinson after the Bondi won the title in 2018.
Stubbs’ involvement with Walters during that Origin campaign triggered some alarm, with Queensland Rugby League chairman Bruce Hatcher famously slamming Stubbs, claiming his mind-over-matter indoctrinations were nothing more than mumbo jumbo.
So when Stubbs lobbed at Broncos headquarters, dressed in a dark-blue blazer and sporting sunglasses, it fuelled speculation Walters had sent an SOS for the mind coach to help with his maiden season in charge at Red Hill.
Not so, insists Walters, who is adamant Stubbs will play no part in his quest to snap the Broncos’ 15-year premiership drought.
Asked if Stubbs, who lives on the Gold Coast, would assist Walters this season, the Broncos coach said: “He was just here having a look.
“He won’t be involved with the Broncos,” Walters continued.
“He is a good friend of mine.
“He asked if he could come up and watch training so he is more than welcome to come and get a burger from the BBQ.”
Stubbs was an interested observer at training as he closely watched Broncos players to examine and get a feel for their energy fields.
Stubbs claims he can also sense a change in a person’s energy and predict the effects it will have on results.
Last year, Walters told News Corp he couldn’t really explain what Stubbs did, but said his ‘Expect to Win, Done Done Done’ methods had a positive impact on the mind of athletes.
“Can I explain what he does? No. Will I try to? No. Do I believe in what he is doing? One hundred per cent I do,” Walters said.
“Bradley is a great fella, he has wonderful ideas and I love his professionalism and the way he goes about things.
“He’s been a strong advocate and a good person to bounce things off and talk about things from a different perspective.
“I like Bradley’s positive mindset more than anything else.”
The Broncos will need every shred of Stubbs’ self-belief to offload the wooden spoon after last year’s debacle under Walters’ predecessor Anthony Seibold.
“We are on the right track,” Walters said.
“It’s a really important game for us, we need to draw a line in the sand tomorrow night against the Cowboys and where that line is going to be is up to the playing group.
“I’m very excited about this game, it’s still a trial, but I’m looking forward to watching our progress over the season.”
With or without Bradley Stubbs, Walters will expect the Broncos to win in 2021. Done. Done. Done.
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