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8:31:20 PM Tue 15 July, 2003
Karen Collins
afl.com.au
Sydney goalsneak Adam Schneider?s debut season could only be described as stunning.
The 19-year-old has played all home-and-away fixtures - kicking 20 goals to round 15 - while also receiving a National AFL Rising Star nomination for his three-goal effort against Melbourne on Anzac Day.
However, statistics only tell half the story, as he handles pressure situations with aplomb given at least a handful of his majors came at important stages, some influencing the outcome of matches.
Schneider?s senior football career started at Telstra Stadium against Carlton as he amassed 14 possessions, nine marks and two goals in Sydney?s 74-point victory. Not much has gone wrong for the NSW/ACT Under-18 representative since.
?Things have actually gone higher than I thought they would be and we are going alright, we are having a few wins on the board which makes it even better,? Sydney?s 5th selection (60th overall) in the 2001 National Draft said.
?I?m young and enjoying my footy so I guess that is why things are going OK (in the season), and I did all pre-season which is something different for me.
?Another good thing about it is Roosy (coach Paul Roos) doesn?t put pressure on you being young, he just says go out there and have fun and do what you do and it?s been going well.?
While needing to work on his accuracy in front of goal, he is spending his year learning from the senior players around him.
?I have learnt how professional some people are and how professional you have to be.
?You follow your Stuey Maxfield?s and that is where you learn everything you just watch what they do and you have to do extra if you want to be good I guess and you have to do something more than someone else would to make you better.
?I have also had a fair bit to do with (former captain) Paul Kelly he has been good to me not just on the field but off the field as well making sure everything is right and making sure you are happy as if you are not happy you can?t play good footy.?
But for all the accolades - which included a banner referring to him as ?Schneiderman? - one incident three weeks ago changed his life forever.
His happiness on the field was tested in recent weeks following the death of a good friend.
Following a car crash whilst returning from a 21st party, his friend spent a few days in a coma and it was there Schneider got to say his final goodbye.
Now he dedicates his career to his childhood friend.
?It was definitely a tough time and I actually went home for a couple of days (Osborne in country NSW) and the good thing was I got to be with all our mates and we helped each other through it which is the main thing.
?The club has been great about it, they have really given me free time just to make sure I am alright and that sort of stuff which has been a bonus knowing they are behind you as well.
?It has been real tough but getting through it ? I have something to play for now which is good.?
The toughest week for the well-grounded Schneider was the week leading up to the round 13 Port Adelaide game after his 19-year-old friend died the previous Wednesday.
?I had a few difficult days there but I guess I really wanted to play for John as well.
?Also the week after we had the funeral and it was a tough time but I sort of told myself that he would be proud of me, that he would want me to go well and do it for him.?
On the field the season has been a dream given he didn?t expect to play let alone cement a permanent spot in a winning team.
While not mentioning the finals, ?Schneiderman? hopes Sydney can keep winning while he continues to play each game.
?Roosy wants me to be an impact player so when I get a chance I really want to be dangerous and that is what I really live on.
?I want to do the little things like the pressure in the forward line and chase people down and try to do the little things for the team to win.?
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