MORE than five months have passed since Adam Schneider’s life was uprooted and his time as a Sydney Swan ended.

But one only had to see the look of ecstasy on his face at playing a major part in St Kilda’s win over his former side to know he is loving life in Melbourne, and is well and truly settled into life at his new club.

Schneider, who played 98 matches for the Swans before being traded at the end of 2007, was a key contributor in the Saints’ thrilling two-point win over the Swans in Saturday night’s round one blockbuster at Telstra Dome.

And the adaptable left-footer admitted it was strange running around on the opposing side to the men he knows so well.

“It was a little bit weird but I’ve been here [at St Kilda] four or five months now and I’ve found a great bunch of blokes here, you know they’re my family now so I’m really comfortable,” Schneider said.

“There was a bit of sledging going on out there but all in good fun.

“I’ve got a lot of mates up there. I’m going to have a lot of mates for life but once you go out on that white line it doesn’t matter much at all.”

Schneider was involved in the famous Swans sides of recent years, known for its love of a stoush and ability to fight back from the depths of despair.

So it came as no surprise to the new Saint that when his team established a seemingly comfortable lead early in the game, the match was in fact far from over.

“To be on the other side of Sydney, playing that one-on-one style of footy, I just sort of realised how good they are at it,” he said.

“They’re definitely the best in the competition at it, they’ve proved that over the last three years by getting to two grand finals and they showed it tonight I thought.”

Schneider booted his team’s final goal – late in the third term – after kicking truly from about 50m after teammate Clint Jones marked courageously after running back with the flight of the ball.

“That’s what we needed … that’s all we can ask from our small forwards,” Schneider said of Jones’ bravery.

“That’s all Rossy (coach Ross Lyon) wants, boys putting their heads over the ball.

“I think that was up there with one of the changing points in the game. It was such a great effort there and it got us out to a two-goal lead I think.

“I’m sure he might have a sore head but it’s definitely going to be something that everyone’s going to remember for the rest of the year.”