Key defensive pillars Steven May and Rory Thompson had their most complete game together against GWS at Metricon Stadium on Saturday.

Between them, the pair took 26 marks, 17 of which were inside defensive 50 with 11 being intercept marks. Thompson also registered 11 effective spoils against the Giants, the second-most across the league in round 20.

Speaking with SUNS TV, Thompson said he loved playing alongside May and predicted exciting times ahead for the defensive duo.

“It’s always great to play with Maysie,” Thompson said.

READ: Lynch and May in Team of the Week

“The more time we get out there together the better and over the next couple of years hopefully we can get some consistent footy under our belts together and just get that synergy going.”

One thing evident when both players are on the park is their fearless attack on the Sherrin, with their desperation to influence the contest a particular highlight.

Knowing May has his back gives Thompson supreme confidence to back himself in at every opportunity.

“You know what he’s going to bring each week. His intensity, attack on the ball, defence and offense, a really good role model to have out there,” Thompson said.

READ: May's perfect 10 in AFLCA vote

“It gives me confidence to back myself to go at the football and I know if something goes wrong, if I don’t win it, he’s going to be there to cover up every time so we try and work off each other that way I guess.”

After being sidelined for over two months with an ankle injury, the Gold Coast product admits it’s taken him a while to find form but is looking forward to finishing off the 2016 campaign strongly.

“I think it’s been building. The last couple of weeks have been an improvement,” he said.

“Probably took me a little bit longer than I’d like to find my feet and get back to some good form but I think it’s definitely been building and hopefully can just continue to grow for the end of the season.”