When North Melbourne’s father-son pick Luke McDonald was drafted in 2013, his dad said don’t get too carried away.

Worry about getting an AFL game.

And when the 19-year-old was named in North’s side for his debut in round one last month, he burst into his father’s office and received another sobering dose of football reality.

North’s director of stakeholder relations and club culture Donald McDonald said it’s no good getting a game if you can’t get a kick, son.

“He’s always reminded me, even when I got drafted, it’s one thing to get drafted, it’s another thing to play AFL,” Luke McDonald told AAP this week.

“It’s good to get a game but you want to contribute to the team.

“That’s something he’s drilled in for a very long time.”

His introduction to the AFL was a tough one. Essendon crushed the Kangaroos by 39 points.

McDonald had 14 disposals, but another 42 in wins over Western Bulldogs and last year’s semi-finalists Port Adelaide have eased the 189cm defender’s concerns.

Playing with Werribee in the VFL was a good stepping stone and McDonald also had the chance to train with North once a week last year.

“The club has made all the right choices for me,” the No.8 draft pick said.

“It was a big game, round one.

“It was exciting to get the call up for that. I suppose I was chucked in the deep end a bit.

“Essendon are a fantastic side and we were a bit off.

“Getting that first game out of the way was big for me. You know what to expect now.

“The last two games have been a similar intensity and I’ve been able to handle it a fair bit better.”

The Essendon clash had a finals-like intensity, McDonald said.

“I didn’t have a fantastic game,” the former Vic Metro Under-18 skipper said.

“It was very disappointing. It was a long week after that, getting ready for the Western Bulldogs’ game.

“It was extra motivation to get out there and have an impact. I think I’ve done that in the last couple of weeks.

“Now after three games I definitely feel very comfortable playing out there.

“I suppose I’ve just even tried to earn a bit of respect off the players and just get used to playing with them.

“I can start backing myself and going for kicks that I may not have gone for in the first couple of weeks.”

North have played one finals game since 2008, but two wins in the first three rounds is a solid start to the season.

Sunday’s SCG clash with the Swans (1-2) is a huge test of 10th-placed North’s top-eight credentials.

“We haven’t beaten Sydney in Sydney for a long time (2004) either,” McDonald said.

“There’s a lot riding on this game. It would be good to win a game interstate against such a good team.”