It was more than a year ago, in a location 2,500km away from Melbourne, that Carlton and St Kilda last battled it out for premiership points.

To commemorate the AFL’s 2015 ANZAC Round the two sides crossed the Tasman and played in Wellington, New Zealand on ANZAC Day.

In that match the Blues stormed home against the Saints to record a 40-point victory, thanks to a young player named Patrick Cripps, who also earned himself a Rising Star nomination.

Carlton will no doubt be striving to replicate the same feat come Sunday afternoon.

Even though the Blues secured a solid win over the Lions at Etihad Stadium last week, captain Marc Murphy says there are many areas of their game they will be looking to improve – a point highlighted coach Brendon Bolton.

“We probably thought we were a little inconsistent in some phases last week, so we need to improve,” Bolton told media on Friday.

“I know I’m being repetitious and I say it most weeks, but we need to be defined on pressure and effort and unity, and last week we thought we weren’t quite at that level we’d like to, so we need to improve.” 

Meanwhile, the Saints succumbed to a disappointing 88-point loss to the Crows at Adelaide Oval last week, and Bolton knows St Kilda will look to come out firing.

“We know they’re (Saints) going to want bounce back after last week, so again we’re expecting a real contest,” Bolton said.

St Kilda was not only hurt on the scoreboard, but also suffered a number of injuries against Adelaide, with backman Sean Dempster (knee), Hugh Goddard (achilles), and forward Paddy McCartin (concussion) all ruled out for this week’s clash.

Adding another blow, Saints captain Nick Riewoldt has also been ruled out, with the centre half-forward copping a knock to the knee in the first quarter. 

“He gave himself every chance, he’s really disappointed not to be able to play given the performance and want for our group to respond, but no unfortunately he won’t get there,” St Kilda coach Alan Richardson told SEN on Friday.

The Saints have made six changes in total, with Luke Delaney, Tom Lee, Nathan Wright, Blake Acres, Darren Minchington and debutant Lewis Pierce replacing the aforementioned injured quartet and omitted pair Jack Billings and Brodie Murdoch.

Carlton has made one change to its final team, recalling small forward Liam Sumner for midfielder Nick Graham. Andrew Phillips, father-son recruit Jack Silvagni and Graham have been named as emergencies. 

Blues midfielder Ed Curnow will also play his 100^th AFL game this weekend, a hard-earned achievement for the former rookie.

“I’ve got to 100 games and I’m really proud of the effort I’ve put in,” Curnow said.

“I’m rapt to be at Carlton and grateful they gave me the opportunity…I’ve got a really good support base around me – I’m just rapt to be here.”

The match marks Carlton’s final game at Etihad Stadium for the year, with the rest of its games taking place at the MCG or interstate.

The Blues take on the Saints this Sunday, with the game kicking off at 1:10pm.