Father-son pick Luke McDonald is on track to make his AFL debut in round one, but North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says the 19-year-old isn’t over the line yet.
McDonald, the former Vic Metro Under-18 captain who played for VFL side Werribee in 2013, was taken at pick No.8 in last year’s draft and comes with plenty of fanfare.
While ex-Saint and triple All-Australian Nick Dal Santo is expected to slot seamlessly into North’s midfield, much interest surrounds how quickly McDonald can establish himself as a senior player.
Dal Santo was at his silky best with a 27-possession performance in North’s seven-point loss to Carlton in Saturday’s pre-season clash in Ballarat, while McDonald didn’t look overawed by the occasion either.
Left-footer McDonald, son of former North forward Donald McDonald, had 22 possessions and five marks in a solid display.
“He doesn’t lack any confidence but that’s good,” Scott said.
“I’d much rather players who have great self-belief and Luke’s got that.
“He knows the step up. It goes up another few notches from here.
“He’s ticking every box we put in front of him. So as long as he keeps doing that, the future’s bright for him.”
Scott says winning selection for North’s round-one clash with Essendon on March 21 is a realistic goal for McDonald.
“But he’s going to have some pretty stiff opposition,” Scott said.
Majak Daw, Levi Greenwood, Robbie Tarrant and Nathan Grima are all possible inclusions for North’s pre-season clash with Hawthorn at Launceston on February 21.
Scott was also happy with Joel Tippett, who held Carlton’s Jarrad Waite goal-less.
Tippett, 25, has played two games with Gold Coast and is a younger brother to Sydney’s Kurt Tippett.
“We thought he was the best key defender outside the AFL last year,” Scott said.
“He slotted in and played on a really good player today. He showed good athleticism and good ability in the contest.
“He’s been rookie-listed twice.
“He’s determined that he’s going to take this opportunity and we’re really keen to give it to him if he keeps performing like that.”