St Kilda remain the only AFL club without a coach after Adelaide and Western Bulldogs both named new mentors on Monday.

The Crows elected Brenton Sanderson and the 'Dogs appointed Brendan McCartney, both first-time senior coaches.

Their appointments follow Melbourne's weekend signing of Mark Neeld and leave St Kilda, stunned by Ross Lyon's shock departure, as the sole club seeking a new coach.

Adelaide's selection panel plumped for 37-year-old Sanderson, who immediately quit his five-year post as a Geelong assistant ahead of the Cats' preliminary final against West Coast on Saturday.

Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg said Sanderson, who played 209 AFL games at the Crows, Collingwood and Geelong, was ready to take control.

"The club undertook a really exhaustive selection process and our clear conclusion is that Brenton is ready," Trigg said in a statement.

"He has the skills, experience, plans and personal qualities ... there is no question of his leadership qualities."

Sanderson becomes the first ex-Crows player to coach the South Australian club, beating Adelaide's dual premiership captain Mark Bickley and West Coast assistant Scott Burns for the job.

Sanderson was appointed for the next three seasons, the same term given by the Bulldogs to McCartney.

McCartney takes charge of the 'Dogs not having played at the top level but carving a respected reputation as an assistant coach at Geelong and Essendon in the past 12 seasons.

McCartney pipped favourite Leon Cameron and interim coach Paul Williams to the post vacated by Rodney Eade, who was sacked last month.

"This club was in a very good position to win a premiership, so a combination of rebuild and refresh," McCartney told reporters in Melbourne.

"Every player on the Western Bulldogs list has room for improvement.

"I can't wait to get into this and I can't wait for us to confirm our place as a footy club that is respected, admired and feared."

McCartney departed as an Essendon assistant where coach James Hird was glowing in his endorsement.

"He is a fantastic teacher of the game and has an incredible knowledge and understanding of trends in modern football and has taught me a lot over the past 12 months," Hird said.

McCartney and newly appointed Melbourne coach Neeld coincidentally each won four premierships as coach of Bellarine Football League powerhouse Ocean Grove.

"The journey has me well placed, I have been so lucky to work with so many great people and great coaches and great players," McCartney said.

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