Collingwood coach Craig McRae has axed Wil Parker for Saturday night’s blockbuster preliminary final against Brisbane.

The youngster was the unlucky player to make way for returning veteran Jeremy Howe.

Parker, 23, gathered 12 disposals in the qualifying final win over Adelaide a fortnight ago, but was subbed out for Roan Steele.

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Howe is back in the side for the first time since suffering a groin injury in the final-round clash against Melbourne.

The veteran defender hasn’t played a full game since Round 16, having been subbed out of his last four matches.

As revealed earlier on Thursday, star forward Bobby Hill has been left out despite showing positive signs at training.

“Bobby won’t play this weekend,” McRae said of the exciting small forward.

“It was really difficult - I told him before training ... it was a conversation that was hard for him to hear but it was a reality of right now with his preparation and credit to him he trained really, really well which shows how far he’s come in the last little period.

“He’s working hard to get back and this is not permanent, but this week he’s not available.”

McRae said the decision was “based on a lot of little things” both with 25-year-old Hill and the team, and did not rule him out of playing the grand final.

The Lions are unchanged from the side that comfortably beat Gold Coast last week.

In the other blockbuster preliminary final, Geelong and Hawthorn have both made no changes for Friday night’s clash.

However, the Cats could yet make a trademark late change with veteran ruckman Rhys Stanley named as an emergency.

Stanley missed the qualifying final win with a hamstring issue, but trained strongly on Thursday.

Both preliminary finals are live and free on Seven and 7plus Sport.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

Geelong v Hawthorn at MCG, 7.40pm AEST

GEELONG

No change

HAWTHORN

No change

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20