Injured defender Luke McDonald says he hopes to make a return to competitive action before any potential finals campaign.

McDonald went under the knife two weeks ago, after injuring his hamstring in an epic chase down of Hawthorn speedster Cyril Rioli.

“I suppose it was a good way to go down doing something a little bit heroic,” McDonald said with a smile.

“It’s obviously disappointing to do it at all, but at least it was running down Rioli, whose apparently the fastest in the league.”

The 21-year-old said his focus was now on making a speedy recovery and returning to full fitness as soon as possible.

The Roos’ official Anytime Fitness Health Hub injury list has the defender’s lay off set at six weeks, meaning a potential Round 22 return.

McDonald said he was confident he would be ready to make an impact once given the all clear to return.

“I haven’t really missed out on too much (conditioning) and I had a really good pre-season where I didn’t miss a session so I’m pretty confident I’ll be able to come in and play my role,” he said.

“There’s a few of us coming back at that time of year, so we’re really spurring each other on in the gym and that’s going to keep us all in really good stead.”

Before injury hit, McDonald was enjoying a stellar season, one that the number 21 said was his “most consistent” yet, coinciding with North’s impressive opening to the year.

McDonald said Roos’ start to the season had given the team a solid foundation in 2016 and he and his teammates would be looking to tackle the remainder of the season head-on.

“Starting at 9-0 was awesome,” McDonald said.

“The last three weeks have been disappointing because we’ve been close in pretty much every game. Now, we’re looking to launch in to the back half of the year and set ourselves up for a good finals series again.”

For more NMFC injury news and the full injury list, visit the Anytime Fitness Health Hub