ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson believes his players will fight the season out to the end, having seen no evidence of a drop in motivation or intensity despite no prospect of finals.

Speaking before the 13th-placed Saints trained in driving rain on a cold Thursday morning in Seaford, Richardson said he hadn't had to do anything extra to keep the players engaged as the season neared its end.

"It hasn't been a real issue to for us," Richardson said.

"Last week we made seven changes so those guys are sensing the opportunity to a: stay in the team, and b: potentially to make sure they're impressing with respect to next year.

"We're starting to create some depth, we need to get more, but the ruck [with Jason Holmes] is a great example.

"I haven't sensed any drop off. There's a real clarity around what we're trying to achieve as a team and we need to be strong against strong teams, and that's the opportunity we have in the remaining games."

Ruckman Billy Longer will undergo shoulder surgery on Monday and won't figure in the Saints' last two games, meaning US big man Holmes will hold his spot.

David Armitage and Sean Dempster will return to face the Sydney Swans on Sunday after missing last week's draw with Geelong, while Dylan Roberton, Jack Lonie and Jack Sinclair are in the selection mix.

Veteran small forward Adam Schneider will play his final AFL game after announcing his retirement this week.

Richardson said the 31-year-old would be missed, and deserved credit for helping to develop the club's young forwards, who were now ready to replace him. 

"There was no certainty he was going to play the amount of footy he played – the conditions were he would need to be a coach as much as be a player," he said. 

"He's done a terrific role for us, his ability to be able to play and still have impact, the work he's done with the players from a mentoring point of view away from the field with the way he's helped them prepare and educate them on forward play. 

"He's an outstanding person and he's going to be a really good footy coach."

Lance Franklin remains a chance to return for the Swans after missing the last three games with a back injury. 

The last time he played against the Saints in round 21 last year, he booted nine goals. 

Richardson said he would back in his team's defence to stymie the delivery to the powerful forward rather than rely on winning one-on-one contests.

"When he's been at his best, he's a great player," he said. 

"We've been much better this year with defending as a team, and whilst clearly Buddy's going to get one-on-one match up opportunities, that will be their wont, we need to be strong and look to support.

"But our focus will be on how we defend as a team to try and make sure we have real pressure on that ball going in."