HUNT FOR NEW MAY

REPLACING A SKIPPER

HIS backline brother Steven May has gone but Suns key defender Rory Thompson says nothing will change for him in 2019 as he looks to build on last year’s form.

Thompson and May made a formidable duo in their eight years together before May left to join Melbourne at the end of 2018.

But the 27-year-old said May’s departure wouldn’t alter what he can do on the field where he will set about trying to stop the game’s biggest men scoring.

“Not too much changes for me,” Thompson said.

“I’ll still be trying to improve and my role each week hasn’t changed through my time here.

“I’ll play on the big key forward and try to stop them from making an impact.

“It’s more about getting synergy with the other players.

“We have a new backline coach in Josh Drummond and I’m adapting to a slightly different game style.”

Thompson joked he felt like he was walking into a new club too after returning from the off-season to see a range of new faces at the club.

Several players are vying to fill May’s void and Thompson was diplomatic about who was leading the race.

“Jack Hombsch has put in a really solid training block and stayed fit,” Thompson said.

“Sam Collins is going really well and is super fit too. Jack Leslie unfortunately got injured at the end of last year and hasn’t been able to train yet

and the young boys like Ben King are going well.

“There is plenty to pick from that’s for sure.”

Thompson played 17 games in 2018, the most since 2014 (19), and kept the likes of Lance Franklin goalless in Round 18.

The 200cm pillar credited his injury-free preseason for the success and said the current preseason was going even better.

“It comes down to being able to put in the work,” Thompson said.

“There were so many years where I had an injury pop up or I’d get to Round 2 or 3 and an injury would put me back.

“It would leave me battling through the year instead of playing fit. I’ve carried that momentum into this preseason and I’ve done more numbers than last year already.

“If I can keep that consistency up I’ll hopefully see improvements.”