NORTH Melbourne will unleash prized father-son recruit Luke McDonald in Friday night’s season opener against Essendon.

McDonald, 19, known for his attacking style and precision skills, looms as one of three possible new faces with elevated Kangaroos rookie Joel Tippett and Daniel Currie in the mix.

Taken with pick no. 8 in the national draft, McDonald, used largely across half back, played in both Kangaroos’ NAB Challenge losses.

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McDonald missed the club’s practice match against Geelong with an illness.

“It’s been the aim for over a year now and for it to finally happen it’s exciting, I just can’t wait to get out there on Friday night and wear the blue and white stripes,” McDonald said.

McDonald’s father, Donald, played 155 games with North before turning his hand to administrative ranks.

media_camera North Melbourne draftee Luke McDonald 19yrs is pictured with his father Donald at home in Kew. Donald McDonald played more than 150 games with North Melbourne. Picture Ian Currie.

McDonald said North Melbourne coach Brad Scott delivered him a simple message at training yesterday.

“He just told me not to change anything I’ve done this pre-season, I’ve been picked for a reason and that’s because of the way I’ve gone about it so far,” McDonald said.

“When he told me out the front of my locker a lot of the boys got around me and it was very exciting.”

PRE-SEASON INSIDER: PART 1



PRE-SEASON INSIDER: PART 2

“We gave him every opportunity in the pre-season and some pretty big roles through the midfield and in defence and he’s accepted every challenge that’s come his way,” Scott said.

“He plays his best when he’s just going in with a mindset of being ultra competitive.

“I don’t mind if he makes mistakes being aggressive and proactive, but I hate mistakes on the back of hesitation and when Luke is playing well he’s not hesitating.”

Scott said McDonald benefited from training with the club part-time last year, while playing for VFL affiliate Werribee.

“He’s slotted in as more of a second-year player than a first-year player,” Scott said.

“This year we haven’t treated him like a first-year player, his running loads and training loads (are that) of the more experienced players.”

media_camera Joel Tippett has had to fight for his AFL life. Photo by Scott Barbour

Upgraded rookie Joel Tippett is also in the frame to make his North Melbourne debut in the season-opener.

Scott said Tippett — the 25-year-old younger brother of Sydney forward Kurt — and fringe tall Daniel Currie would be in the squad.

Ruckman/forward Majak Daw will be left out after enduring a frustrating pre-season as he has recovered from a knee injury.

Key defender Nathan Grima sought physio treatment on his foot during a training hit-out yesterday, and Tippett, who has spent the past two seasons in the SANFL, would be the likely inclusion if Grima does not come up.

media_camera Daniel Currie wrestles with Sam Rowe Picture Wayne Ludbey.

“He (Tippett) has been in terrific form in the pre-season and taken some really big jobs on the opposition’s key forwards,” Scott said yesterday.

“He’ll come up off the rookie list.

“Dan Currie will definitely be in the squad. He probably hasn’t transferred his training form into game form, but we’re really looking for that third key forward slot at the moment and Dan has been the one that has jumped up and grabbed that opportunity more than anyone else — and he also gives (Todd) Goldstein ruck relief as well.”

Scott said Daw had been thrown into the pre-season game against Hawthorn in a bid to get some match-time into him, but said he would not pick him when he was clearly still underdone.

“The biggest problem we’ve had with Majak is availability — he’s played a bit in the pre-season but his training has been really interrupted,” he said.

“I’m loath to pick Majak this week just based on lack of preparation — it’s really frustrating because I see him as a big part of our future, but we just need to get some continuity.”

Captain Andrew Swallow looked to be moving well in his restricted training as he continues his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon, but he is unlikely to play before about Round 5.

Young forward Tom Curran will be placed on the long term injury list as he recovers from a footy injury.