Injured duo Nathan Wright and David Armitage have made way, while forward Beau Maister, ruckman Billy Longer and skillful midfielder Shane Savage have all been omitted.
Schneider's 2013 season was cruelled by injury and the 29-year-old will add significant class, poise and experience to the Saints forward-line and midfield.
"Schneids has been training really solidly for about a month now - mainly running," Alan Richardson told SAINTS.com.au on Thursday afternoon.
"He played VFL last week against Box Hill and had 24 touches. Given that we've lost a bit of experience with one of our leaders, David Armitage, going out, it's great to have someone like Adam back in the team."
Fellow left-footer Jack Billings has also been named to play his second AFL game, following the 18-year-old's debut in the green vest against Melbourne in round one.
Billings' last two games for Sandringham have been outstanding. The No.3 draft pick booted five goals against Frankston and collected 29 disposals last Sunday in the Zebras' draw with Box Hill.
In this week's VFL player breakdown, Paul Hudson praised the form of the precosiously talented youngster.
"You can’t question his ball use because he set up a few shots at goal just uses it so beautifully," Hudson said. "He’s improving every week."
Hudson was equally bullish about the prospects of midfielder Seb Ross, who will play his first game for the Saints since round 23 last year.
"I’m really pleased for Sebby," he said. "He managed to kick a few goals when he pushed forward. He rotated between there and the midfield and was rewarded with three goals and 24 possessions."
But perhaps the most significant inclusion for St Kilda is Josh Bruce, the former Giant having arrived at Linen House Centre in last year's trade period after notching 14 games with GWS.
"Brucey comes to us predominantly as a key defender," Richardson told SAINTS.com.au.
"He's had really strong form now for a month in the VFL, including trial games. We think he's earned his spot and he's ready to go. Essendon has some really dangerous tall forwards and he will have his hands full, but we are confident that he will perform well."
Finally, Tom Hickey has regained his spot after missing out last week due to a calf complaint. The 201cm ruckman from Queensland booted three goals against Melbourne in round two in what many described as break-out game for the 23-year-old.
Defender Tom Simpkin and clever forward Terry Milera have been named as emergencies following a solid fortnight in the VFL, while Shane Savage is the other emergency.
ST KILDA team to face Essendon
B: Bruce Delaney Newnes
HB: Webster Gwilt Dempster
C: Montagna Hayes Ray
HF: Steven Riewoldt Templeton
FF: Saunders Stanley Jones
Foll: Hickey Curren Dunstan
Int: Schneider, Ross, Geary, Billings
Emerg: Simpkin , Savage, Milera
In: Schneider, Billings, Hickey, Ross, Bruce
Out: Armitage, Wright, Maister, Longer, Savage
