Richmond onballer Mark Coughlan and Melbourne forward Russell Robertson were notable casualties as their teams try to deal with barren AFL seasons.

The Tigers dropped Coughlan for Saturday night's Subiaco game against Fremantle and Robertson was left out for the Gold Coast match, also on Saturday evening, against unbeaten St Kilda.

The two teams sit at the bottom of the ladder on one win.

Robertson had played the last four senior games after recovering from the Achilles tendon injury he suffered last year in round 10.

Coughlan finally made it back in round five after more than two seasons on the sidelines because of knee and hamstring injuries.

But he only had 10 possessions in Saturday night's loss to Essendon.

The Tigers also left out Andrew Raines with a knee injury and dropped Daniel Connors.

"Rainesy's managed to get through the last couple of weeks, but has just struggled a little bit with some inflammation and soreness after the game," football manager Ross Monaghan said on the club website.

"The decision was made to make sure he's absolutely 100 per cent before he plays again."

Demons coach Dean Bailey also confirmed on the club website Robertson's omission was form-related.

"We just need Russell to go back to the VFL and recapture the form we know he is capable of producing," Bailey said.

As expected, Richmond midfielder Ben Cousins will return from a minor hand operation to play at Subiaco for the first time since he left West Coast in 2007.

The Tigers also recalled Will Thursfield and Jack Riewoldt.

Ricky Petterd joined Robertson as a Melbourne omission, while Mark Jamar and Daniel Bell return from injury to play their first senior games this season.

While St Kilda are again unchanged to face the Demons, Fremantle have made three changes in an attempt to recapture some form against the Tigers.

Andrew Foster, Greg Broughton and Josh Head come into the side for Roger Hayden (leg fracture), Ryan Murphy and Clayton Hinkley.

Carlton and West Coast made a total of nine changes between them for Friday night's must-win game at Etihad Stadium.

Blues key forward Brad Fisher will play his first senior game for the year and Jeff Garlett, Ryan Houlihan and Setanta O'hAilpin also come into the side.

Apart from Jarrad Waite (knee reconstruction) and Simon Wiggins (hamstring), the Blues dropped Richard Hadley and Chris Yarran.

The Eagles recalled Adam Hunter, Mark LeCras, Jamie McNamara and Tyson Stenglein, while Tom Swift will make his AFL debut.

Matthew Priddis is out with a groin injury and the Eagles dropped Sam Butler, Adam Cockie, Brett Jones and Mark Seaby.

The Western Bulldogs recalled Ryan Hargrave and Stephen Tiller for Saturday's Manuka Oval match against Sydney, dropping Tim Callan and Jarrod Harbrow.

Sydney brought in Lewis Roberts-Thomson for Craig Bird.

Brisbane left out Aaron Cornelius, Travis Johnstone and Tom Collier for Saturday's Etihad Stadium game against North Melbourne.

Albert Proud, Rhan Hooper and Lachlan Henderson took their spots as Levi Greenwood came into the North side for Sam Powell (hamstring).

Hawthorn's well-documented injury problems continue, with Garry Moss (knee) and Cameron Stokes (hamstring) unavailable.

Essendon have named key players Mark McVeigh and Scott Lucas in their squad for Sunday's Etihad Stadium game against unbeaten Geelong.

Collingwood have added Alan Didak and Dale Thomas for Sunday's twilight match against Port Adelaide, but coach Mick Malthouse said they will not finalise their side until Saturday morning.

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