North Melbourne young gun Luke McDonald says his AFL team is relishing the chance to test themselves against Fremantle.

The undefeated Dockers are sitting pretty after seven rounds, the ladder leaders having usurped Hawthorn to become premiership favourites.

In contrast, the Kangaroos have had an inconsistent start to the season and currently sit outside the top eight.

The two sides clash in Perth on Saturday.

“That’s all you want to do, test yourself against the best,” McDonald said.

“What better way to do that that than taking on Freo in Perth.”

McDonald, who missed rounds four and five due to a hamstring injury, admitted his side has been far from perfect this year.

“There’s been a few games we have been really disappointed with,” he said.

But having rolled Richmond and Essendon to post back-to-back wins for the first time this season, the 20-year-old suggested the Kangaroos would head west with no fears.

“It’s always tough over there against them,” he said.

“It’s definitely the toughest road trip, but we take confidence out of last year (when North triumphed by 13 points in round six).

“Obviously they’re a different side now, but we’re just excited about the challenge.”

McDonald was full of praise for fit-again defender Lachie Hansen, who clutched 14 marks in the side’s last-start win over Essendon.

“It’s so good having Lachie back in the side because you know he’s going to make 90 per cent of them,” he said.

“It’s great that he’s had a couple of games back now and he’ll only get better.”