The New Nucleus, Nasiah, and the Noteworthy Saints.

Walking into the MCG on Sunday night, there will be one question on the mind of every Saints fan.

How do the puzzle pieces fit together?

The Saints went 2-0 in the pre-season with new recruits Sam Flanders, Tom De Koning, and Liam Ryan starting well.

Former Blue, Jack Silvagni has been injured in recent weeks, although a debut is guaranteed for the son of a gun.

Young Saint Matthaes Phillipou said that it was great to see the boys perform in the practice matches.

“It’s pretty exciting based off what we've seen in the practice games, but they are only practice matches,” he said.

“I'm very confident in the team.”

St Kilda’s coach, Ross Lyon, spoke on the team’s connection.

“They've all come in and there's been a real team chemistry right from the start,” he said.

“They're extroverted people, they really give their time to our young players.

“They engage with our senior players and more importantly, they train hard and they play well.”

However, St Kilda’s biggest return may come from one of their own, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera.

“He deserves everything that's coming his way,” said Phillipou.

“He’s a quality person and the work ethic he puts forth (is exceptional).”

Forward Max King remains a fitness concern after battling a calf injury throughout the pre-season.

“It's been a significant period of time, but he had a little calf tweak just coming back and then as he got going it flared a little bit,” said Lyon.

This will be the biggest home-and-away crowd St Kilda have played in front off for a number of years, with the potential to break the record of 81,386 set on in 2010.

Ironically, the 2010 crowd was set at the MCG against the Pies.

“We are hearing numbers of 80-85,000,” said Phillipou.

“It's just super exciting for everyone, but from a players and coaching standpoint, we're just trying to focus on playing against Collingwood, it's going to be red hot.”

Meanwhile for Lyon, the crowd numbers didn’t draw any of his attention.

“I haven't discussed it at all,” he said.

It will be a far cry from the clubs highest attendance last year of 65,680 against Carlton at the MCG.

With a crowd potentially pushing past 80,000 at the MCG, the Saints will get an early test of whether their new-look lineup can deliver when it matters.