The Bombers can all but assure themselves of a top-eight finish by beating the Suns at Etihad Stadium, but are coming off an inconsistent effort against West Coast last week.

Thompson's men trailed by 34 points in the third quarter agains the Eagles after a listless first half, before storming to a three-point win. He hopes to get the same output from the second half for all of the contest against the Suns.

 

"I'm quite confident this week that they're in a good spot," Thompson said on Friday.

 

"They've been really up and about talking. They trained well on Wednesday. We just had a meeting then and when I get a lot of input back from the players about how we want to play, when they want to offer advice and solutions, that's always a good thing.

 

"And they did that certainly today."

 

The Bombers have struggled in games they have been expected to win this year, recording battling wins over the Western Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney.

 

They also lost to Melbourne and St Kilda, who occupy the bottom two spots on the ladder, but Thompson expects a better showing against the Suns in a game they are favoured to win.  

 

"It's all about your attitude and how you go into the game," he said.

 

Important key position player Jake Carlisle trained well on Wednesday and again on Friday and will line up against the Suns after missing last week with a back spasm.

 

"He's all clear as far as back pain so he'll be right to play," Thompson said.

 

"He was on crutches [on Monday] not looking so good, but they go quick and they fix up quick. He gets one every year so we're pretty confident he's right to go."