The so-called ‘‘coach whisperer’’, Bradley Charles Stubbs , has been slammed by one of the clubs he claims to have helped win an NRL premiership.

Stubbs was the topic of much debate during the week after it was revealed Maroons coach Kevin Walters had hired him to help prepare the Queenslanders for this year’s Origin series. Stubbs’ key contribution has been to tell Walters and his Queenslanders not to mention the Blues. At all.

Mind games: The so-called coach whisperer Bradley Charles Stubbs with James Tedesco after the Roosters' grand final win last year. Supplied

Stubbs first caught the eye of keen observers when he claimed he was working with South Sydney coach Michael Maguire. On his website, Stubbs claims: ‘‘I connected with Michael Maguire on LinkedIn and sent him an email. I told my friends I would work with South Sydney. I sent him a text. No reply. I turned up at Redfern Oval without an appointment. I introduced myself. Michael said he had an appointment but could give me 20 minutes. I said, ‘I’d be grateful for two minutes’.’’

Stubbs didn’t meet Maguire again until they were in the dressing room after Souths had won the comp in 2014. Stubbs claims he was in contact with Maguire every day in the lead-up to the premiership win. It’s a great story.

Familiar pose: Stubbs with former Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold. Supplied

But Souths boss Shane Richardson has slammed ‘‘the whisperer’’.

‘‘He is claiming he was a central part of this club’s premiership win, but he wasn’t,’’ Richardson said.

‘‘The players won the comp. The coach won the comp. You don’t see the weights coaches or the welfare people at the club claiming the premiership. But they played a far bigger role in what happened.

‘‘I promise you the players were not impressed by him. To be frank, he pissed them off. I want it known very clearly: the comp win belonged to the players, not Bradley Charles Stubbs. He is not welcome at our club.’’

When I asked Souths coach Wayne Bennett about Stubbs, he said he had never heard of him.

We’ve heard some stories about Stubbs, including that he is an Amway salesman and that his wife attends meetings with coaches.

We contacted him for a response, but he has not replied.

Stubbs suffered a mental breakdown when his dream of becoming a professional surfer ended, but he has recovered and turned his life around.

Drums beating louder for fan favourite

Josh Reynolds is one of the most loved players in the game, but his future at Wests Tigers could be in jeopardy. The talk is growing louder that the Tigers would let him go if there is a suitable offer from another club.

Reynolds has been hampered by injury since he arrived at the Tigers and has had to deal with tragedy in his personal life in recent times.

Nervous: Josh Reynolds has endured a tough run at the Tigers. AAP

On the face of it, the Tigers have not got value for money. Reynolds joined the club last season on a four-year deal worth about $750,000 a year after he was forced out of the Bulldogs, but has only run out nine times for the joint venture.

This news would not be a surprise to Reynolds, who is said to be nervous about his place at the club. The key would be finding another team to take him on.

Player agents are talking about Reynolds being traded out of the Tigers, but when I spoke to his manager, George Mimis, he said he had not heard from the club.

The rumour has been around for the past few weeks, but is certainly gathering steam.

SBW teaching Haas about school of hard knocks

Sonny Bill Williams might be one of the biggest sports stars of his generation, but he’s not too big to help out a 19-year-old making his debut for the Blues.

Payne Haas and Sonny Bill have formed a cross-Tasman friendship.

‘‘It’s not like I’m mentoring him,’’ said Williams, speaking for the first time about Haas. ‘‘We communicate regularly. The fact is that I have been through a lot in my career. I just talk to him about applying yourself to every moment.’’

Haas said: ‘‘We are friends. I reached out to him and I like to talk about life, footy, religion. Just day-to-day things. While we are friends, I think I am lucky that I know Sonny and that he accepted me when I reached out to him. I just messaged him and we talk, but we have not me yet. I hope that will happen down the track.’’

Haas said he ‘‘needed direction’’ and that had been the inspiration for his recent conversion to Islam.

‘‘I haven’t looked back since,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a blessing. I wasn’t living the right lifestyle. Islam has changed me a lot. It has humbled me. I spoke to my parents and they were fully supportive of it. I am lucky that I can talk to Sonny about it.’’

SBW said he had advised Haas about the importance of ‘‘living a simple and clean life’’.

Seeking the right path: Payne Haas recently converted to Islam. AAP

‘‘In the world that we live in, you need to be very careful,’’ he said. ‘‘And he knows he should give thanks to God.’’

Haas was identified by NSW coach Brad Fittler from a young age and he had no hesitation in putting him into his Origin side.

‘‘I don’t want to put pressure on Payne,’’ Williams said. ‘‘He has been through enough in his short career. He’s got the skill set to be whatever he wants to be. He will reach the highest point in the game and stay there if he makes the right choices.

‘‘You look at where he is: he’s a teenager and he is pretty much in uncharted waters. He is playing in one of the hardest positions in the game and he is at the top. And he will keep evolving as a player and a person.’’

He will reach the highest point in the game and stay there if he makes the right choices. Sonny Bill Williams

Williams says Haas’ character will stand him in good stead as he deals with the fame and fortune that is coming his way.

‘‘He’s humble, hard-working and family oriented,’’ SBW said.

Haas has a quiet confidence about him and believes he is prepared for the game’s pinnacle.

Mitchell extension a done deal?

Latrell Mitchell has been extremely focused in Origin camp, having sorted out his split from long-time agent Steve Deacon and appointed Wayde Rushton to manage his affairs. But the clubs chasing his signature are telling me they suspect he has already upgraded his deal at the Roosters for another two years, extending his stay until the end of 2022.

The Roosters bristled at the suggestion and denied it.

Packer a caged Tiger

Russell Packer was once a club captain at the Tigers. Now he can’t crack it for a start in the top grade.

I’ve asked why and been told that his body is not what it should be. But, digging further, the word is he does not get along with coach Michael Maguire. Packer has some strong opinions and they are not always appreciated by his coach. It will be a surprise if Packer sees out his rich contract, a four-year deal due to end in 2021.

It’s all relative

The Panthers media department leapt into action when debutant Brent Naden became the subject of a click bait article on Fox Sports’ Facebook page. The headline was ‘‘Notorious fugitive’s cousin, AFL convert among NRL’s fresh faces’’.

It showed a photo of Malcolm Naden being arrested in 2012 and beside it was a picture of Brent.

At one time Malcolm Naden was regarded as Australia’s most wanted man. He was in hiding from 2005 until 2012. He was charged with, among other things, murder, aggravated indecent assault and shooting with intent to murder a police officer while he was on the run.

He was captured in 2012, pleaded guilty to 32 charges and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Making his mark: Brent Naden, right, celebrates a try with Dylan Edwards. AAP

Brent has never spoken to Malcolm. Never met him. And he was horrified that he was getting inundated with phone calls from friends asking why this was appearing prior to his first-grade debut.

The Panthers demanded Fox Sports take the story down. And they did. Brent made an excellent debut on Friday night against the Sea Eagles as the Panthers made it two in a row.

Finch finds purpose

Former Origin half Brett Finch has admitted he was ‘‘lost for years’’, but he has finally found a purpose. Finch is one of those likeable blokes who you just want to be OK. And after having a variety of mental health issues since retiring, it is not too dramatic to say that he has found a reason to live: he’s now a dad.

‘‘It’s hard to explain it ... football was all I’ve known,’’ he said. ‘‘I was a ballboy; dad played football; I was in the dressing rooms; I debuted at 17: It was my whole life.

The lost years: Like many players, Brett Finch struggled to adjust to life after footy. AAP

‘‘That was everything. When [wife] Elli told me the great news [that she was pregnant] I suddenly had something that was bigger than myself. It’s the first time in my life I’ve felt like that. I don’t know if people will be able to relate to that.

‘‘But I suddenly had a purpose. I have a purpose in life. I have a responsibility. For years I was lost. I was struggling. Luckily Elli was there for me and stood by me. I am in a good spot.’’

Get ready for Freddie cam

This year’s Origin coverage will introduce ‘‘Freddy Cam’’ and ‘‘Kevvy Cam’’ for the first time. Vision will be streamed on 9Now with cameras focused on the coaches as they ride the emotions of Origin. Channel Nine will also stream the ref cam, spider cam and the game.

The opener will feature Billy Slater and Paul Gallen in the dressing rooms explaining the emotions the players will be experiencing.