Thompson, from Port Campbell, is in his debut season with the Eagles, who were eyeing off a top-three spot with a few rounds of the season remaining.

"We lost our last two games though," Thompson said.

"We lost to one of the bottom sides in the second-to-last round which meant we couldn't get third spot.

"We lost the last round as well so we've had a bit of a slump.

"But it's finals now so hopefully we start playing well again."

The Eagles, who finished fifth, stoush with Sturt in Sunday's elimination final at Football Park.

The pair duelled last weekend, with the Double Blues winning by 38 points.

"We've played them three times during the year and they've only won that one," Thompson said.

"They were just first at the ball and in the wet conditions, we were a bit slow.

"We've been working on our forward line entries, which have been getting better and also working on stoppages."

The 19-year-old has been playing in the backline.

"My game on the weekend was all right, so hopefully I can carry a bit of form into the finals," he said.

"I just try to shut down my man and create heaps of run from the backline.

"I really try to attack and link-up with the midfield.

"The coaches are pretty happy with me I suppose.

"They haven't got angry at me or anything," he laughed

"Obviously I'm doing my job if I'm staying in the team."

The Geelong Falcons product, who lives in West Beach with a host family, was confident he would stay in the side for the finals series.

He said retired Adelaide Crows forward Trent Hentschel was a chance to come in for the Eagles if he recovered from a back injury.

Thompson was picked up by the Crows at pick no. 17 in the rookie draft last year.

"I'm hoping to finish off my season well and have some good form," he said.

"Hopefully we keep making finals because the more I play, the more games the Crows get to watch me."