Blake, replaced by King for last year's grand final, stood up admirably against the former club captain in what was the first meeting for premiership points since the trade went through at the end of 2007.
Thompson said Blake was "nervous" ahead of the clash, but performed admirably to post 28 hit-outs to King's 23.
"He's human," Thompson said, when asked how apprehensive Blake was pre-game. "He knew exactly what was at stake.
"He knows how bitter Steven King was from being removed from the club, and Mark was bitter last year when Steven got to play in the grand final.
"So there was a lot at stake and he got through, and he stood up like a man."
Thompson said Saturday's performance was another positive outing for the 22-year-old, who has taken over the Cats' ruck duties post-King and in the absence of the injured Brad Ottens.
"We were really pleased with his efforts," he said. "We've been pleased with his year so far. He's been outstanding and it's fantastic that he's got the opportunity to be the number one ruck.
"He's just growing as a person and as a footballer and he's got a bright future. I think he got a lot of recognition from his players and that will do him even more good.
"He just needs that confidence and when he becomes super, super confident, he's going to be a very, very good player."
Thompson also said the brief second-term scuffle that broke out between Blake and King hit a nerve, and consequently sparked the Cats who were trailing by 13 points.
Ultimately, he said Matthew Scarlett's game opposite Fraser Gehrig was "just a ripper", and that young defender Harry Taylor was outstanding when pitted against Nick Riewoldt in the second half.
Thompson applauded the emergence of young guns Tom Hawkins (three goals) and Ryan Gamble (one goal), and said they were adding youthful exuberance to an already talented side.
"[Hawkins] has had two really good weeks in a row now and he looks more comfortable, more confident, and it's just a real bonus for the Geelong footy club," he said.
"Young Ryan is just tough and hard at it and pretty clean, and just functions in that forward line and understands how they all play. It's a real bonus to have two boys come into the forward line and really help us kick more goals."
Thompson couldn't find words to describe the game of tagger Cameron Ling, who worked Saints ball magnet Nick Dal Santo out of the game.
"There's not much I can say about Cameron Ling," he said, with a smile.
"I'd adopt him if he didn't already have a mother and father."
