Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin is upbeat as Luke Jackson, the game's best young talent, considers his AFL future beyond this season.
Few 20-year-olds have made a bigger impression after 32 games in AFL history, especially given Jackson is a ruckman.
Tall players usually take a while to develop, but Jackson won the Rising Star award last year and had a defining role in Melbourne's stunning grand final comeback.
With Jackson out of contract at the end of this season, speculation is rife about what the Western Australia clubs will offer to lure the Fremantle native back home.
But if Goodwin is concerned, he hid it well during Tuesday's media conference.
"He's a cracking a person and obviously a super talent," Goodwin said.
"We've had some really good discussions with Luke about his contract and his position at our club.
"One thing I know about Luke is he loves his teammates and he loves his footy club.
"We're really comfortable where it sits with him. He'll get paid what he deserves over time, like any player does in our industry."
Goodwin also doubts the attention will bother Jackson.
"If you know Luke, you know the personalty he is - he's a pretty laid-back sort of character and he doesn't think too deeply about that," he said.
"He's still very raw, he has a lot to learn, and he's building an unbelievable chemistry with Max Gawn in terms of their ruck craft together - that's what has really excited Max and Luke."
Goodwin had no hesitation in heaping praise on Jackson, acknowledging his rapid rise in a role where players can take years to find their form.
"They do take time to develop, there's no doubt about that, and he's been able to come in and stand up in a significant role," Goodwin said.
"He's done some amazing things in his first 30 games."
Meanwhile, Goodwin said premiership defenders Jake Lever (foot), Michael Hibberd (calf) and Christian Salem (knee) would remain sidelined for Friday night's game against winless Essendon.
"We'd love to get some troops back, don't get me wrong - Jake, Michael and Christian are pretty important players to us," he said.
"But we're rapt with some of the performances that we're seeing from our back six."
