St Kilda has finalised its playing list ahead of next month’s NAB AFL Draft with Adam Schneider and Terry Milera delisted and Maverick Weller upgraded to the primary list.
Schneider, 30, will continue training with the Saints when players return next month, with St Kilda intending to re-draft him at the NAB AFL Rookie Draft in December.
At the end of the 2014 season, Milera informed the club of his desire to return to South Australia for personal reasons. Despite trying to accommodate Milera’s wish, the club was unable to secure a trade with Adelaide or Port Adelaide. Milera has since advised the club that he will still relocate back to South Australia.
St Kilda Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel Ameet Bains said the club had been in regular communication with both delisted players about their future.
“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.
“Throughout the recent trade period we spoke with both Adelaide and Port Adelaide about Terry but unfortunately both clubs sought to pursue other options. We thank him for his contribution to St Kilda and wish him and his family well in the future.”
Milera played 30 games and kicked 31 goals for St Kilda after arriving at the club in the 2011 trade period via the Port Adelaide Magpies in the SANFL.
Weller played 16 games in his first season at St Kilda and finished ninth in the best and fairest after he was taken with pick 20 at last year’s Rookie Draft.
He had previously played 32 games for Gold Coast.
Weller will join fellow rookie list players Cameron Shenton, Eli Templeton and Darren Minchington in being elevated to the senior list for 2015.
“Since breaking into our senior team in round seven, Mav has established himself as an integral part of the St Kilda side – he has also become a favourite of our passionate fans,” Bains said.
“We were delighted to agree to a two-year contract extension with him and to build on our 19 recent signings under the Saints Future Fest campaign.”
St Kilda now has four live picks (1, 21, 22 and 41) at the upcoming NAB AFL Draft and will have a further four rookie draft picks, one of which will be used on Schneider.
The club has already committed to taking former Sydney forward Tim Membrey at the pre-season draft in December.
Other players to depart since the end of the 2014 season include Lenny Hayes, Beau Maister, Trent Dennis-Lane, Sam Dunell, Clint Jones and James Gwilt.
Rhys Stanley was traded to Geelong as part of the deal that brought pick 21 to St Kilda.
