TOM Rockliff has backed a long-term contract extension for Josh Schache, despite the young key forward having not played a game for the Lions yet.

The Brisbane skipper wouldn’t confirm reports Brisbane was in negotiations with Schache’s management about a five-year contract.

However, Rockliff endorsed Schache’s output over his first months at the club, revealing the tall forward is a near certainty to make his AFL debut in Round 1.

“If you had of been up here on Friday and seen our trial match I would have given him a 15-year contract,” Rockliff told SEN radio.

“I don’t want to put any pressure on the kid, but he’s as good an 18-year-old player as I’ve seen.”

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Rockliff said the traits that saw the Lions claim Schache with pick No. 2 in last year’s draft were obvious.

“His patterns as a forward are unbelievable. His ability to start behind but then end up in front, his reading of the ball. He was doing numbers on Daniel Merrett and Harris Andrews — who was outstanding for us last year,” Rockliff enthused.

“I think I’ve seen him miss one goal, he hit the post on Friday, that’s the first set shot goal I’ve seen him miss all pre-season. It says a little bit about his kicking technique. He can kick them from outside 50-55, no worries.

“His hands are as good as I’ve seen. His ability to fly and take contested marks — he’s only an 18-year-old, but it’s going to be so exciting to see him as a 24-25-year-old.”

Rockliff also threw his support behind coach Justin Leppitsch, who is set to receive a one-year contract extension before the home and away season begins.

“Ideally you’d love it to be longer, but that’s obviously not our decision. Our job is to go our there and play and perform and make sure he gets a longer contract,” Rockliff said.

“If that’s what the club has decided to do — give him a one-year deal — then we completely support Leppa 100 per cent. I think the club knows that as well and we support any decision the club makes.”

Rockliff believes Leppitsch has grown into the coaching role after winning just 11 games in his first two seasons in charge.

“We’re a young list and we are starting to grow. I think Leppa is really confident with what he’s put in place over the last couple of years to build us up to have some success in the near future,” he said.

Rockliff admitted he has little interest in the upcoming NAB Challenge, but said it would be the ideal opportunity to blood some kids.

He expects midfield recruits Rhys Mathieson and Ben Keays to feature, while he hoped experienced teammate Daniel Rich would become an elite midfielder in 2016.

“When he’s up and going he’s an 80-90m player, obviously he can run and carry but also deliver the ball 60m onto the chest. We’d love to see Richy take his game to another level.”

Originally published as ’He’s good as I’ve seen’, says skipper