Adelaide has axed games record holder Nigel Smart as it seeks to snap a winless start to the AFL season against Richmond.

Smart, a month shy of his 34th birthday and a three-time All Australian, will suffer the ignominy of running around in front of a smattering of spectators in Saturday's SANFL clash between his South Adelaide and Glenelg.

The Crows also lost Scott Welsh to a groin strain, but named fullback Nathan Bassett despite an ankle problem, regained veteran forward Ronnie Burns and handed a debut to Nathan Bock.

The Tigers named Luke Weller for his first game in yellow and black as the sides gear up for a match that will put the losing coach under almost intolerable pressure.

Ladder leader St Kilda has lost key defender Luke Penny to a small cheekbone fracture for the match of the round against the Kangaroos.

However the Saints were able to recall Aaron Hamill from suspension and Xavier Clarke from a knee injury.

The Kangaroos must do without reliable defender Troy Makepeace due to a death in the family.

Sydney and Melbourne were both able to add quality for their clash on Saturday night, with the Swans bringing back Nick Davis from a hip injury while also naming key defender Craig Bolton who is nursing a knee problem.

The in-form Demons regained Travis Johnstone from a thigh injury among three changes.

Hawthorn has lost key defender Danny Jacobs to a hamstring strain for at least two weeks but were bolstered for the trip to Brisbane by the return of Ben Dixon (knee) and Mark Graham (back) while Campbell Brown returns from suspension.

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