Decisions, decisions
It is set to be a fierce few days on the training track at Aegis Park.
Speaking to the Herald Sun’s Jay Clark, McDonald believes the selection dilemmas are a great thing for the club in the lead up to the match against Collingwood.
The ruck battle between Todd Goldstein and Daniel Currie looms as the biggest decision hanging over the heads of members of North’s match committee.
"What's good is Daniel's come in and shown that he can compete at that level after he came to the club as a replacement for Hamish (McIntosh)," McDonald said.
"And Goldy has had a good pre-season as well, so it's a good one for Brad (Scott).”
Majak Daw is also in line to make his debut.
"Maj has been good in the practice matches as well, so the (match committee) guys have an opportunity to collect their thoughts after training on Thursday.
"His marking has been good, but Maj also knows he still has a lot of work to do; he's the first to admit that," he said.
"He's still got some areas of his game he needs to work on.
"He's a late-comer to the game but everyone would love to see him out there."
Former Gold Coast Sun Taylor Hine could also pull on a Roos jumper on Sunday with the suspension of Scott McMahon leaving a gap in defence.
North beat the Magpies by 30-points in Round 21 last year.