Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson made good his promise to wield the axe by dumping premiership players Jordan Lewis and Michael Osborne as the Hawks aim to keep alive their AFL season against West Coast.

Osborne, a veteran of 121 games, and Lewis, who has played 108, were cut from the side swept away by Essendon last Saturday night, along with defender Thomas Murphy and first-year player Jarrod Kayler-Thomson.

The Hawks will take a five-game losing streak to Subiaco Oval on Saturday and have given the chance to fringe players Jarryd Morton, Carl Peterson, Beau Muston and Matt Suckling, who have played 35 games between them.

While Hawthorn aim to regain their mojo, several clubs welcomed the returns of key players for round seven.

Geelong stars Gary Ablett and Matthew Scarlett are back for Sunday's game against ladder-leading Sydney at Skilled Stadium.

Ablett missed last Sunday's demolition of Richmond through hamstring tightness, while Scarlett missed the past four games because of a back problem.

The reigning premiers also named young ruckman Dawson Simpson on an expanded bench as cover following the loss of No.1 big man Brad Ottens to a foot injury.

The Swans also named ruck cover in Mike Pyke after the loss of Mark Seaby (ankle), and will award a debut to half-forward Gary Rohan, last year's No.6 draft pick.

In other notable returns, Port Adelaide forward Daniel Motlop and Richmond counterpart Graham Polak will play their first games of the season, while the Western Bulldogs will regain midfielder Matthew Boyd for Friday night's game against Melbourne at the MCG.

Boyd is back after missing two games with a break in his hand, but Bulldogs skipper Brad Johnson will not be risked because of groin soreness, and onballer Nathan Eagleton will miss with a leg injury.

Motlop has overcome hamstring problems and should add spark against Essendon at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, while Polak's return is heartening after he played two games last year in his return after being struck by a tram in 2008.

But Richmond will be without midfielder Nathan Foley (leg) in Sunday's clash against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, where both sides will chase a first win.

Melbourne dropped experienced defender Joel Macdonald and ruckman Stefan Martin, and lost forward Ricky Petterd (shoulder), but called on two who can play in attack in ruck Paul Johnson and debutant Danny Hughes.

Despite their depleted forward options, the Demons again overlooked 2008 top draft pick Jack Watts.

Essendon called on youngsters Jake Melksham and Ben Howlett to replace seasoned pair Andrew Welsh (suspended) and Ricky Dyson (knee injury).

Collingwood will be without ruck Josh Fraser (knee) and winger Sharrod Wellingham (calf) at the MCG on Saturday night against North Melbourne, who are unchanged.

The Magpies will have Cameron Wood partner Darren Jolly in the ruck and recalled veteran onballer Shane O'Bree.

The Brisbane Lions made four changes for Saturday night's home clash against Fremantle, who are unchanged.

Defenders Jed Adcock and Pearce Hanley replaced Matt Maguire (suspended) and Andrew Raines (calf), and experienced pair Troy Selwood and Amon Buchanan were dropped for Justin Sherman and Tom Rockliff.

West Coast named Mark Nicoski, Lewis Stevenson and debutant Brad Sheppard to replace forced omissions Andrew Embley (suspended), Chris Masten (knee) and Brett Jones (arm).

St Kilda and Carlton named expanded squads for Monday night's clash at Etihad Stadium, but the Blues lost midfielder Brock McLean to a hip injury.

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