Balmain great Garry Jack believes Wests Tigers should target Brandon Smith, Gareth Widdop

Balmain great Garry Jack believes the Tigers are missing star power in the spine and he has firm ideas about the two men who could fix that.

Brandon Smith would be a perfect fit at Wests Tigers, according to Balmain great Garry Jack. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

Balmain great Garry Jack believes the Wests Tigers must target Melbourne hooker Brandon Smith and make him a franchise player at the club.

Smith has two more years on his deal with the Storm but has been given permission to look for a new home from season 2022.

With rookie hooking sensation Harry Grant back in Melbourne colours in 2021, the likes of Jacob Liddle and rising rake Jake Simpkin will battle it out of the Tigers’ No.9 jumper.

But looking beyond the 2021 season, Jack told The Daily Telegraph that Smith must be a recruitment priority as someone coach Michael Maguire could build his team around.

Brandon Smith should be the Tigers’ No.1 target, according to Garry Jack. Picture: Getty Images

“Brandon Smith would be a perfect fit, he wants to win,” Jack said. “You can see it in the way he plays. He’s the sort of guy you can build a team around and the club should be going after him.”

The Tigers have been one of the more active clubs in the player market – recruiting James Roberts, James Tamou, Stefano Utoikamanu and Joe Ofahengaue for next year.

But Jack said the side is missing some all important star power in the spine and should prioritise recruitment in those positions over another outside back like Josh Mansour.

While Mansour won’t give up his place on Penrith’s left edge without a fight, the winger has been told by the club his is free to look for another club for next season, and the Tigers have been touted as an option.

Penrith winger Josh Mansour is on the Tigers’ radar for next season. Picture: Getty Images

“The club has to identify positions like one or six or nine, and recruit players who will be key to our success next year and beyond,” Jack said.

“I don’t think we need another winger. Josh Mansour is a brilliant player but those key positions should be secured first.”

According to the 248-game Tigers legend, Gareth Widdop could be the right person to replace the experience lost when veteran playmaker Benji Marshall wasn’t re-signed for next year.

Widdop has two more seasons left on his deal with English Super League side Warrington Wolves but is eager to return to Australia for personal reasons.

The former Melbourne and St George Illawarra five-eighth is being offered at $300,000 a season and is unlikely to attract a transfer fee, making him an even more enticing proposition.

Gareth Widdop is looking to return to Australia. Picture: Getty Images

“I would have kept Benji,” Jack said. “I know he had some tackling deficiencies, but his attack was good as ever. He had something like 17 try assists from 16 games, and between him and Harry Grant they had 22 try assists.

“For the Tigers that is going to be hard to replace. There is going to be a big hole there without a playmaker like Benji.

“I think Gareth Widdop is definitely a playmaker. He has the experience and he would be a very good fit for the Wests Tigers.”

Coach Maguire is expected to hand Adam Doueihi — who started his Tigers career at fullback — the No.6 jumper vacated by Marshall.

“Doueihi got better at fullback as the year went on, he grew into the position,” Jack said.

Balmain great Garry Jack wants to see Brandon Smith and Gareth Widdop at the Wests Tigers.

“He has a natural talent in the halves and you could see what a tremendous young player he was. The key for him will be Luke Brooks — he has to aim up.

“If you bring in Gareth Widdop, plus Brooks and Doueihi, you’ll have three creative players in the side. It could give the Tigers an edge.”

Jack, who played all but three of his club games at fullback, believes rising back Tommy Talau could be an option to replace Doueihi in the No.1 jumper in 2021.

On Wednesday, the Tigers locked in young forward Zane Musgrove until the end of season 2024. A foot injury resigned Musgrove to only six games this year, but the Mangere East junior was rewarded with a three-year extension.

“I also feel really thankful to Madge [Maguire] and the club for sticking by me,” Musgrove said. “That was a big part of me staying and I can’t wait to get on the field and contribute to this club again.”