Scott Thompson was, by far, the best stopper in the AFL last season earning All-Australian selection after quelling some of the most dangerous forwards and he says he can't wait to play on them again.

In 19 games he conceded just 26 goals and, on eight occasions, held his opponent goal-less.

"I like playing on all the big names and the big key forwards," Thompson told the Herald Sun's Rebecca Williams.

"You know the ball is going to get kicked to them, so you know you are going to be in the play most of the day.

"That’s always good when you know in the game that you are going to be in the play and the ball is going to be around you.

"So, I always look forward to really matching up against all the big names."

At 27, the full back has fast become one of the Roos' most important players.

"You hate getting goals kicked on you, so you obviously you want to keep them to zero goals," he said.

"But it just happened that I strung a few games together where no one kicked a goal (on me last season).

Although he does admit on occasion, things went his way.

"I think one game Buddy kicked five points, so I was pretty lucky he did not kick a goal that game.

"Sometimes you are just lucky, but other times you work hard and you really try and stop them kicking that goal."

Champion Data ranked Thompson equal No. 1 for intercept possessions per match in 2013 and he averaged more disposals than any other key defender.

"I guess in juniors I used to always try and take the game on.

"But when I got to the AFL I probably concentrated more on my defending than my attack.

"(Coach) Brad (Scott) has been really good and given me, not a licence, but the confidence to really play my natural game and I know sometimes I probably annoy the coaches because I do some erratic things.

"But it’s good when you get the ball in your hands I love attacking with the footy."

Coach of the defenders last season Shane Watson, said Thompson's flexibility and willingness to adapt is what separates him from the rest.

"The thing about him is he will go into a game having an A, B and C plan,” Watson said.

"He just doesn’t go in and go, `Right, I’ve watched the vision on my opponent and this is how I am going to beat him’.

"He’ll work out a strategy, run it by you and then go at it, but if it’s not working for whatever reason, he has the ability to change things up in game.

"Just going in there with a few plans often helps rather than going in and if you’re being beaten not having anything else to go to. He questions things, he runs things past you, he ultimately goes out and works out what’s best for him.

"He has always been a good one-on-one defender, but he has just added so much more to his game in terms of his intercepting, like his intercept marking. He reads the play really well and he’s not afraid to come off his direct opponent and help out someone else."

So, who is Thompson's toughest opponent?

"I would probably say Nick Riewoldt is the best,’’ he said.

"His work-rate and his marking ability is probably one of the best.

"But also (Travis) Cloke, his strength in the one-on-ones is really strong and you really need support from your teammates to help out."