Defender Luke McDonald admits being left out of North's preliminary final against West Coast has been a "big driving factor" heading into this season.
The 21-year-old managed 23 games in his debut season, 2014, but was forced to bide his time with VFL affiliate Werribee at different stages last year, playing just 14 AFL matches.
McDonald said watching the Roos' preliminary final against the Eagles from the sidelines – after being a late call-up in the semi-final against the Sydney Swans a week prior – had motivated him over the last few months.
"I was sitting in a box with a few of the guys … and I couldn't believe that if we win that game I was probably going to miss out in playing in a Grand Final, so it was tough," McDonald told NMFC.com.au on Wednesday.
"It's been a big driving factor throughout the pre-season and I never want to be in that position again.
"The pre-season I put in showed that I was pretty serious about rectifying last year and putting my best foot forward."
McDonald began the home and away season by performing a lock-down role on Adelaide forward Tom Lynch in last Saturday night's 10-point victory.
The 189cm backman said he was happy with how he restricted Lynch's influence on the game.
He added that being assigned the task of shutting down his direct opponent suited his aggressive style.
"He's a really important player for them so I had to shut him out of the game and I felt like I did that," McDonald said of Lynch, who finished with 11 touches and a goal.
"I do enjoy the challenge of trying to beat someone and I feel like my pre-season getting stronger and fitter has enabled me to do that, and even run off and potentially get more of the ball."
McDonald said he was eager to replicate his efforts against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba this Saturday, with the likes of Lewis Taylor, Dayne Zorko and Allen Christensen all able to drift forward and cause opposition sides a few concerns.
"They've got a lot of small forwards so it's going to be a good challenge for us, particularly after they scored so high last week (against West Coast)," he said.
"They might even have Josh Green and Zorko coming back in [the latter from suspension], so it's going to be a good challenge for us half-backs."
This weekend's game also marks the first time North faces former Roo Ryan Bastinac, who joined the Lions in last year's trade period after being starved of opportunity in the midfield at Arden Street.
McDonald said he was looking forward to crossing paths with his former teammate.
"I got on well with 'Basti' so it's going to be weird with him being in the other jumper," he said.
"At the end of the day, he's in a Lions jumper now, so there's no friendships on the field."
