Luke McDonald Biography

North Melbourne name Jy Simpkin and Luke McDonald as co-captains for the 2023 AFL season.

"Luke and Jy are outstanding individuals, well-equipped for this role both from a football and a cultural sense," North Melbourne’s footy manager Todd Viney said.

"Everyone at the club has great respect for Luke and Jy. They are both equally as passionate about getting the club back to where it needs to be, developing our young talent and fostering a positive club culture."

Luke McDonald's will be sidelined for around 10-12 weeks and will undergo surgery after tearing his pectoral during a tackle against Adelaide.

"It's a really unlucky type of injury, and it's really disappointing for us given we missed Luke at the start of the year," North Melbourne football manager Brady Rawlings said.

"We've gone to the specialists and the recommendation is for surgery so Luke will undergo surgery tomorrow to repair the torn pec. To get full function and to get back to full strength the best way to go about it is to have surgery."

Jack Ziebell will lead a new-look Kangaroos leadership group in his fifth year as captain for the North Melbourne Football Club.

Luke McDonald and Jy Simpkin have been elected as co vice-captains, while Robbie Tarrant, Ben Cunnington, and Kayne Turner, round out the group.

Luke McDonald says he wants to build on a 2020 breakout season and become "one of the best defenders in the competition".

"I really feel like I see the game well behind the ball. I'm not resting on my laurels and I really want to keep improving and try to be one of the best defenders in the competition, to be honest," he said.

"It's easy to have one good year, (but) you want to be a consistent player that has good years that everyone expects to have a good year."

Luke McDonald wins his first Syd Barker medal as North Melbourne's best and fairest for the 2020 AFL season, claiming 183 votes ahead of young gun Jy Simpkin (140) and midfielder Jed Anderson (138).

Luke McDonald apologises to Conor McKenna for a COVID-19 sledge during North Melbourne's clash against Essendon.

McDonald pretended to cover his face like a mask in the direction of McKenna in the midst of a quarter-time scuffle during their encounter at Metricon Stadium, appearing to mock the Irish defender for his positive COVID-19 test result last month.

"It wasn't necessary. It's a bad look and considering all of the things that are going on around the world at the moment, and even more specifically in Melbourne, we just don't accept that type of behaviour. Luke apologised for that and understands what that looks like," Kangaroos coach Heath Shaw said.

Luke McDonald's season is most likely over after he suffered a fractured fibula near the ankle on his right leg during North Melbourne's loss to Essendon at Marvel Stadium.

The AFL Tribunal upholds a one-match suspension for Luke McDonald after his clumsy, late spoil on Chayce Jones left the Adelaide youngster with a concussion over the weekend.

"I thought we had a pretty good case to get off. But I just hope that Chayce is alright and that he can get up this weekend," McDonald said.

"I'm really disappointed. This week is a massive day for the club and I won't be out there."

Luke McDonald vows to work as hard as he can to improve on a disappointing 2018 season after signing a new deal with North Melbourne to remain at the club in 2018.

McDonald played 22 games in 2017, primarily across the back line, averaging 21 possessions and 4.3 tackles per match, while this season his numbers are down to 18.7 touches and 2.3 tackles.

"To be honest, personally, [I'm] pretty disappointed with how I've been going," said McDonald.

"Over the pre-season I'm just going to work my arse off and get in the best nick I can possibly be in."

Luke McDonald says his club-imposed suspension for drinking was a wake-up call he had to step up as a leader in North Melbourne's next generation.

"I feel like I've developed a lot since then as a person and as a footballer, and all that was dealt with back then," McDonald said.

"I think the club has been pretty happy with how I've responded and I'm really looking forward to just repaying that faith."

Luke McDonald is revealed to have been suspended from North Melbourne's pre-season game against Richmond for drinking on the club's community camp in Hobart last month.

Kangaroos officials cautioned their players during the Hobart community camp about drinking in the wake of second-year forward Jy Simpkin's recent collision with a motorcyclist while walking home after a night out.

McDonald was subsequently among a group of North players who had a drink together while in Hobart.

As the senior member of the group, McDonald was the only player the Roos' club leaders decided should be punished. It's believed the club's issue was not with McDonald's behaviour but with the timing of his decision to drink.

Shaun Higgins and Luke McDonald come to blows in heated Kangaroos pre-season training session.

"He was trying to link up (play) and run forward and I blocked him," McDonald said.

"He didn’t see it coming and didn’t like it."

Higgins thought McDonald's bump was payback for kicking two goals on the defender.

"He tried to line me up and take me out," he said.

"Right at the last minute, I saw it coming and I took him down."

While the Roos were at pains to point out McDonald and Higgins are tight friends and had their tongues in cheek speaking after the altercation, there was clearly some feeling on the track at Arden Street.

"We’re very good mates but there’s always a bit of added spice out there when the games begin," McDonald said.

"Higgo and I in particular, always seems to get tangled up but we both enjoy it."

Luke McDonald inherits North Melbourne's No.11 guernsey most famously worn by 'Shinboner of the Century' Glenn Archer.

Michael Firrito wore No.11 after Archer retired at the end of 2007, but after hanging his boots up recently the defender decided McDonald, 21, was the Roo best placed to uphold the revered jumper's values.

McDonald wore No.21 in his first three seasons at Arden St, but had no hesitation when Firrito approached him about switching numbers.

"It was a no-brainer. I was really excited and I just want to put it on and have him (Firrito) watch me," McDonald said.

"I just can't wait to wear it on the field and feel like I have those guys (Firrito and Archer) on my back.

"Two of the biggest Shinboners ever have worn it and that's why I'm really excited to wear it because there is that added pressure I can never shirk a contest ever again.

"When you're a young bloke coming to the club the No.11 is the jumper you want to wear because that pretty much typifies the Shinboner spirit."

Luke McDonald faces a battle to return for the finals after undergoing hamstring surgery that is expected to sideline him for up to eight weeks.

McDonald posted a photo of himself in his hospital bed on Instagram on Wednesday morning, saying: "Surgery a success, thanks for all the messages and well wishes."

"Look forward to getting back on the park with the boys and building towards the real stuff."

Luke McDonald will have surgery to repair his serious left hamstring injury after consulting surgeon Julian Feller.

Kangaroos director of football Geoff Walsh said McDonald would be sidelined for several weeks, with a more accurate timeframe to be determined after surgery.

Luke McDonald has been rewarded for his strong start to 2016 with a two-year contract extension at North Melbourne that will keep him at the club until the end of 2018.

"The plan was always to get it done early in the year so I could focus on the footy," McDonald said.

"North came to me not too long ago and we did it pretty fast. I'm very excited to sign for the next two years."

Luke McDonald says the second-year blues he endured in 2015 have made him "hungrier" to bounce back next season.

"In hindsight, you just realise how you've just got to keep improving and if you're not playing to the best of your ability then there are 10 other blokes in the twos that are just chomping at the bit to take your spot," McDonald said.

"Obviously, the toughest thing was missing out on the finals. September footy, that's what we all play for, so to be on the sidelines was shattering. But it's definitely a big motivator for me, not only for next year but for years to come.

"The whole year definitely made me that little bit hungrier to do everything I can to try and keep my spot."

Luke McDonald says he played through the latter part of last season with a back injury.

"It was just a bit of stress on the area, but I had to manage my loads more," McDonald said.

"We only really had the one main skills session each week so I'd just do my own program and chime in at the end.

"When I went out there during a game, there were so many other things on my mind that I didn't even think about my back. It would have been nice if it didn't happen, but I wouldn't say it affected me too much."

Lewis Taylor is crowned the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star in the closest ever count.

The 19-year-old Brisbane Lion polled 39 votes on Wednesday, one more than the Western Bulldogs' Marcus Bontempelli, to win the Ron Evans medal.

North Melbourne's Luke McDonald was third, with 32.

Taylor, who is estranged from his mother and was raised with his brother Toby by their father Simon thanked his father for the crucial role he played in winning the award.

"Dad's been great for me, getting me to games, where I need to be, training, representative stuff," Taylor said.

"We've had some good times along the way so I'm very thankful.

"He's worked hard to get me and my brother back and settle us down and get us on the right path, which he's done."

Luke McDonald says he has no issue with being rested for a week before the Kangaroos' first final of 2014.

"If Brad and the medical staff thinks that's what's best for me then I'll do it as long as I'm playing the next week," McDonald said.

"I've been well managed throughout the year. I think (playing) last year in the VFL has helped me as well, just playing against senior bodies and backing up each week."

Luke McDonald's defensive efforts earns him the round four NAB AFL Rising Star nomination.

McDonald collected 20 touches, including seven contested, and held five marks in driving rain to help the Roos to a third-straight win against the Swans.

"I was very, very happy to get the nomination," McDonald said.

"It definitely gives you a bit of confidence that you've been recognised.

"But I suppose the main thing is that your coaches are happy with you and your teammates like playing with you.

"I've been getting pretty good reviews from the coaches, so that's the main thing."

Luke McDonald makes his AFL debut for North Melbourne at Docklands Stadium with 14 disposals (10 kicks and 4 handballs), 2 marks and 2 tackles in a 39-point loss to Essendon.

North Melbourne father-son recruit Luke McDonald will make his AFL debut when the Kangaroos host Essendon at Etihad Stadium in their 2014 season opener.

"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."

Luke McDonald tallies 20 disposals in North Melbourne's narrow NAB Challenge loss to Carlton, prompting coach Brad Scott to declare him a chance to line up for the senior side in round one.

"He's a good player already, and we're just going to have to keep working with him," Scott said.

"He knows the step up, even from our match-simulation stuff to today, was pretty significant, and it goes up another few notches from here.

"But he's ticking every box that we put in front of him at the moment, so as long as he keep doing that, then the future's bright for him."