How will St Kilda fare in its third game at Westpac Stadium?

Westpac Stadium, known affectionately to the locals as the “Cake Tin”, is significantly smaller than its Aussie grounds across the ditch.

The ground measures in at 121 metres by 141, a sizable 50 metres thinner than the MCG.

This could prove to be an advantage for the Saints who struggled to match the Pies in spread last Friday. Past clashes in New Zealand have typically resulted in heavily contested, stoppage filled games due to the small playing surface.

Following the loss to Collingwood last Friday night, St Kilda has spent the week hell-bent on recapturing the high intensity, contested game style - a cornerstone of their game in the opening rounds which saw them ranked seventh in the competition for contested ball.

Luke Dunstan and David Armitage lead the club in contested possessions and will be major players in Saturday’s clash.

Purchase St Kilda's Anzac Day guernsey HERE.

Will Jarryn Geary rise to occasion after being named captain this week?

David Armitage stepped up as captain last week for the injured Nick Riewoldt, collecting a team-high 33 disposals.

With Riewoldt out again this week, Jarryn Geary will take the mantle, captaining the club for his first time in an AFL match.

Geary led the club earlier this year, lining up as skipper in the Saints’ NAB Challenge win against Essendon in Morwell, netting 23 possessions in the win.

This week the stakes are higher and the rookie-turned-leader will no doubt relish the responsibility for what is a momentous occasion for the club.

RELATED: Geary takes the reigns

How will St Kilda cover the loss of both Montagna and Riewoldt?

The young Saints have done a commendable job claiming ownership over the side in recent weeks. Covering 485 games of AFL experience is a tough Anzac Day assignment, but an opportunity nonetheless for the Saint’s budding brigade.

The onus will largely fall on the midfield duo of Jack Steven and David Armitage who showed tremendous effort in last week’s loss to Collingwood, providing courageous work at the contest and tough running even when the battle was well and truly over.

Opportunities continue to present themselves for Luke Dunstan, Jack Billings and Jack Newnes, especially the latter who played his 50th game last week and has gone from strength to strength over the past 12-18 months.

The Riewoldt-less forward line of Josh Bruce, Paddy McCartin and Tim Membrey had it tough last week, largely due to testing conditions and limited preparation based on the skipper’s late exclusion. The three goal kickers will be key players this Saturday and will no doubt be expected to take the game (and kicks inside 50) with both hands.

Become a member. Click HERE or call 1300 GO SAINTS.

Who will stop Bryce Gibbs?

The 2014 Carlton best and fairest winner is ranked number three in the AFL for tackles and was earmarked as a pivotal stoppage player for the Blues by Leigh Montagna and Danny Sexton earlier this week in the “Engine Room.”

Stand-in captain Jarryn Geary could get the job on Gibbs despite having a good record on Murphy, shutting the Blues skipper out of the game in round seven, 2013. Geary has taken some big scalps in his time, most recently stopping Gary Ablett in the Saint’s round two win over Gold Coast.

Tom Curren comes into the side this week and should assume Maverick Weller’s role, allowing Weller to recover from a minor calf strain sustained in last week’s game against Collingwood. Curren too has taken some big scalps in recent history and will join his captain following either Murphy or Gibbs around the stoppages.

Will the significance of the big occasion spur on the Saints?

Off-season trips to New Zealand and the Anzac Memorial earlier this year will no doubt be in the back of the players’ minds as they pause for a minute’s silence on Saturday morning (Australian time). The Saints are yet to notch up a win at their adopted second home, but an inspired performance looms for the Saints as ties with New Zealand strengthen.