"Hopefully I'll be right, I just attack the footy - there's never any maliciousness about it and that's the same as Ziebs," he said.
Ziebell has missed seven games in the past two years due to suspension in controversial circumstances. He copped a three-week ban in 2013 for a bump which would have cost him one-match had it not been for his bad record.
"You know he always just goes 100 per cent at the ball and if I do find myself in hot water I've got someone like him to speak to for advice," McDonald said.
"I probably wouldn't say I attack the ball anywhere near as hard as he does, but I think I'll be right.
"His attack on the ball doesn't change too much at training either, he really sets the benchmark I reckon, not only at the club but in the league about how he attacks the footy."
Brad Scott has been impressed with McDonald's progress so far this pre-season.
"The thing I like most about Luke is that he's got speed and is highly skilled but his number one attribute is his competitiveness."
McDonald will be pushing to make his AFL debut early in the season but knows there are plenty of players looking to do the same. He hopes his hardness will hold him in good stead.
"I like to attack the ball hard and feed it out, but I also like to get on the end of it and use it pretty well by my feet," he said.
