Coach whisperer Bradley Stubbs ends his partnership with Trent Robinson and heads to Broncos

The coach whisperer’s successful partnership with Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has come to an end.

Coach whisperer Bradley Stubbs with new Broncos coach Kevin Walters

The NRL’s financial crunch has ended one of the game’s most intriguing and successful partnerships, with Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson confirming cost cutting had forced him to part ways with the coach whisperer, Bradley Stubbs.

The mysterious Stubbs worked alongside Robinson during the Roosters’ most recent premiership successes, but a $1 million reduction in the football department cap meant changes had to be made.

Robinson confirmed to The Australian that Stubbs would no longer be working with the Roosters. Stubbs wasted no time spreading his wings.

On Friday afternoon, he was an interested observer at Brisbane Broncos training as he rekindled his relationship with Broncos coach Kevin Walters.

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Walters and Stubbs worked alongside each other in the 2019 State of Origin series and there was talk that the coach whisperer would be part of the coaching set-up at the Broncos.

It is understood Walters has been unable to guarantee him a position at the club, although he has indicated there could be some work for Stubbs during the year.

On Friday, Stubbs spent time with the likes of captain Alex Glenn and Ben Te’o, who he knew from his time at South Sydney.

Stubbs has a reputation as an enigmatic figure despite working alongside some of the most respected coaches in Australian sport in recent years. As well as Robinson, he has been seen in the company of Michael Maguire, Eddie Jones, Graham Arnold and Michael Cheika.

There was talk on Friday that Maguire was also interested in having him involved at the Wests Tigers — the pair worked together when South Sydney won the premiership in 2014.

Stubbs is a former professional surfer who spent time in a psychiatric ward before becoming a sounding board for some of this country’s most successful mentors.

He lives by the mantra “expect to win — done, done, done” and wrote a book called The Science of Belief, which claims to offer a foolproof blueprint for a winning mindset.

“A unique book that gives anyone the edge over their opposition in terms of mindset and their ability to win,” Stubbs’s website says.
“Bradley Charles Stubbs, the coach whisperer, takes you on a journey through the mind. While he makes you aware of your strengths, he empowers your weaknesses to ensure winning results.

“The Science of Belief is an extension on neuroscience. While neuroscience understands the brain, the science of belief puts the brain into action. It develops techniques to activate the brain into a winning mindset.”

The Broncos could do with that given they are coming off the worst season in the club’s proud history. Walters on Friday confirmed that Glenn would once again captain the club, retaining the position despite speculation Walters may look in another direction.

Meanwhile, Brisbane could also be the next stop for Souths coach Wayne Bennett.

Bennett is in secret talks with the Brisbane Jets as the NRL’s prospective 17th team hatches plans to bring the super coach home to Queensland.

News Corp can reveal the newly-formed Jets super bid has formally contacted Bennett with a view to the former Broncos coach calling the shots if they secure a licence as Brisbane’s second team in 2023.

As revealed on Friday, the NRL plans to seek tenders in April as ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys ramps-up plans to create a fourth team in Queensland.

Bennett has not signed a formal contract with the Jets. The 71-year-old is keeping his options open as the Dolphins and Brisbane Firehawks also prepare to submit robust bids for an NRL licence.

But the Jets are determined not to be ambushed in the expansion battle, holding negotiations with Bennett, whose three-year contract with South Sydney expires at season’s end — making him a free agent from 2022.

Brisbane Jets consortium figurehead Steve Johnson confirmed the amalgamated entity is in discussions with the NRL’s greatest coach.

“I have reached out to Wayne … we’ve had talks,” Johnson said. “Wayne is still keen to coach on so, yes, we would look at him as our head coach for 2023.

“He has to talk to South Sydney about his future plans. They are keen for him to stay on in another role (after this season), but we’re hoping Wayne has a desire in coming back to Queensland.”

Bennett has historical links to the region, starting his coaching journey with Ipswich in 1976.

Additional reporting: Peter Badel