ST KILDA has confirmed respected veteran Adam Schneider will extend his career in 2015 as a mature-aged rookie after delisting the 30-year-old on Tuesday.
The club intends to select him in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft on December 3, recognising the value of his experience and talent.
The Saints have been involved in ongoing discussions with Schneider about his future and made the decision just days before the club's list lodgement deadline on October 31.
St Kilda's chief operation officer Ameet Bains told saints.com.au the club recognised the positive influence Schneider could have on the group.
"We are looking forward to Adam continuing with us as a mature-aged rookie. He still has much to offer on-field while also continuing to provide strong leadership to our young, emerging playing group," Bains said.
It's possible Schneider could play a veteran rookie role similar to that filled at Collingwood by respected ruckman Ben Hudson, mentoring the club's talented youngsters and also playing senior football when possible.
St Kilda also confirmed it had elevated rookie Maverick Weller to the primary list. AFL.com.au reported Weller had signed a two-year contract after 16 games with the Saints in 2014.
The club has also delisted Terry Milera, who was keen to extend his career in South Australia if a trade could be organised during the NAB Trade Period. Milera played 30 games and kicked 31 goals with the Saints.
The 30-year-old Schneider is well respected and contributed in 2014.
He has kicked 250 goals in his 213 games and is renowned for his ability to read the game and bring teammates into the play.
After an injury-interrupted two seasons under former coach Scott Watters, Schneider played 13 games in 2014 under Alan Richardson, including the final eight games of the season.
He performed adequately without being brilliant, but showed he still had the ability to influence games by turning it on for a quarter here and there.
His leadership and football brain is highly rated and the Saints think his experience will be invaluable as they continue to develop a young group.
The smart forward has played 115 games for the Saints after crossing from the Sydney Swans in 2008.
He played 98 games with the Swans and was a member of their 2005 premiership team.
St Kilda needs to retain experience after Lenny Hayes retired and it delisted Clint Jones and James Gwilt. It has also lost Brendon Goddard and Nick Dal Santo to free agency in recent seasons.
Schneider has played in five Grand Finals (two at the Swans and three with the Saints, including the drawn 2010 Grand Final) for one flag.
St Kilda has pick No.1 in the upcoming NAB AFL Draft and managed to trade its way to having pick No.21 and pick No.22 as well.
The Saints are considered likely to select either midfielder Christian Petracca or key forward Patrick McCartin with their first pick, but they has given no indication as to their intentions.
The club also signed a raft of up and coming players at the end of the season.
