AS HE prepares for game number 200, St Kilda’s Adam Schneider has labelled Stephen Milne the greatest small forward he has seen.
Schneider’s milestone will coincide with Milne’s farewell game against Fremantle on Saturday, following his recent retirement announcement.
“Milney is the greatest forward pocket I have ever played with or who you will ever see in the game,” Schneider said.
Saturday’s match at Etihad Stadium will be a momentous occasion, with stalwarts Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake also set to play their final games for the Saints.
Schneider joined the St Kila at the end of the 2007 season after 98 games with the Swans, including the drought-breaking 2005 premiership.
“I was lucky enough to go through some success in Sydney and I got a bit stale,” Schneider said.
“The day I walked in the door (at St Kilda) I knew straight away that this group was extremely keen and hungry for team success.
“We didn’t get the ultimate prize, but we didn’t die wondering. That’s one thing I love about this group, the amount of work and the stuff we have actually gone through - it’s a bond we will have for life.”
The 29 year-old will play on next season despite fighting two injury riddled seasons, playing just eight games in 2012 and another four so far this year.
“It has been annoying, the last two years have been pretty frustrating,” Schneider said.
“The most frustrating thing is watching the way the team’s gone - we haven’t been quite able to get that success on the field and I haven’t been able to help.”
The left-footer played in the loss to Richmond back in round two and eventually fought his way back for the round 20 game against Hawthorn.
Schneider has found form in the last two matches with 21 possessions against his former side the Swans and 22 touches in last week’s win over the Gold Coast.
His experience of 200 games and 242 career goals will be vital for the young Saints next year, particularly in the absence of Milne.
Sharing this week’s milestone with the trio of retirees has made Schneider reflect on his own football mortality.
“These last couple of weeks to get back out there and realise that footy is pretty short and it goes really fast, you don’t know whether you will ever play another game with Stephen Milne or Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt, Justin Koschitzke or Jason Blake – they are the kind of moments you sit back when you’re out there and enjoy it,” Schneider said.
Schneider faced the media along with Koschitzke and Blake in front of the whole club on Wednesday.
“I’m a bit embarrassed to be sitting up beside guys like this. These two (Koschitzke and Blake) here are absolute superstars of the footy club,” Schneider said.
“It will be something we will look back on and say I was lucky enough to share the moment and walk off at the end of the game with them beside me, it is an honour.”
