Desperate to end its losing streak, Richmond showed scant regard for another long run by dropping Joel Bowden from Friday night's AFL battle of the strugglers against Hawthorn at Telstra Dome.

Both teams have lost their past four games, but the Tigers showed Bowden no mercy despite his racking up 136 successive games since early 1998.

He was dropped with Ty Zantuck and Shane Morrison after the thrashing by Adelaide.

Mark Coughlan will miss through a groin problem, and Rory Hilton, Simon Fletcher, David Rodan and Jay Schulz were recalled.

The only other time Bowden had been dropped during his AFL career was after his first game, in round 17, 1996.

Hawthorn is confident Shane Crawford will play despite the captain missing another training session through illness.

Tall defender Trent Croad trained well and was recalled with Rayden Tallis in favour of youngsters Ben Kane and Brad Sewell.

At Carlton, the news was all good with captain Anthony Koutoufides included for his first game of the season, against Melbourne on Sunday.

The champ has not played since the pre-season when he damaged scar tissue on his hamstring, but was added to the squad with Darren Hulme and Simon Wiggins.

High-flying Melbourne welcomed back reigning best and fairest winner Russell Robertson, but lost James McDonald (knee) and dropped Guy Rigoni.

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