The ARL Commission needs to throw the bank at Jim Doyle, drag him back to League Central and give him Smith's corner office. Forget about paying a recruitment agency truckloads to embark on an expensive "worldwide search". The best option is right under its nose. Doyle quit as chief operating officer in June last year to become chief executive at the Warriors.
Like anyone who has left League Central in the past three years, he went quietly. He was angry when this column suggested at the time he had grown tired of working under Smith and a dysfunctional administration.
You'd expect a man like Doyle to say as much. Those who worked closely with him at head office say otherwise.
But now the "position vacant" sign has gone up and it is understood Doyle has support amongst some commissioners, some of whom were unhappy to see him leave last year.
Club bosses spoken to in recent days say they would embrace him. "He's one of us," offered one. "But would the commission want someone who will tell them some hard facts?"
And that's the thing.
Panthers Group boss Warren Wilson is being touted all over the place, but he's realistically a long shot because he would not be afraid to tell the commission some home truths. He is also too close to Phil Gould, who sparks much paranoia at League Central with the mere mention of his name.
Doyle returned to New Zealand where he was once boss of the NZRU to be closer to his family. He is independently wealthy. Would he want to take control of the soap opera?
As others wildly speculated late on Thursday about a possible replacement for Smith, Doyle's name was quietly gathering momentum among those who matter.
That might all change, of course, because 48 hours is a long time in footy.
