LUKE McDonald says his club-imposed suspension for drinking was a wake-up call he had to step up as a leader in North Melbourne's next generation.

McDonald was among several Roos who breached an alcohol ban on February's community camp in Tasmania, but as that group's most senior member he was suspended for the JLT Community Series game against Richmond.

The 23-year-old told AFL.com.au this week he had learned a lot from the incident.

"Obviously it was disappointing at the time, but it was a great learning opportunity for me," McDonald said.

"I feel like I've developed a lot since then as a person and as a footballer, and all that was dealt with back then.

"I think the club has been pretty happy with how I've responded and I'm really looking forward to just repaying that faith."

Asked whether his ban had been a timely reminder that he was an emerging leader on North's young list and had to live up to that responsibility, McDonald said: "Without a doubt."

"When I first got to the club we had guys like (Michael) 'Spud' Firrito, Drew Petrie, (Nick) Dal Santo, (Daniel) Wells, (Brent) Harvey, the list goes on, and I got to grow up and watch those guys play.

"Now you look around and I think we've got the youngest list in the AFL, so it's time for guys like me and Trent Dumont and Kayne Turner to really step up and drive that next generation.

"Obviously Launceston was disappointing, but we bounced back really well, and I think you can see that from the footy we've been playing."

McDonald is due to come out of contract at the end of this year and looms as one of North's priority re-signings along with Ben Jacobs and Shaun Atley.

The son of 155-game North forward Donald McDonald says he has opened talks with the club and does not foresee any major stumbling blocks.

"I think we've just started talking around now, so (there's) nothing really to worry about. I think that will get done sooner rather than later," he says.

McDonald says his contract status has not been a distraction and his strong start to the season bears testament to this.

The Kangaroos' No.11 has averaged 19.3 possessions a game over the first 10 rounds and is ranked third at the club for inside 50s (35) and equal fourth for goal assists (five).

He trained with North's midfield group over the pre-season, having split his time between defence and on-ball roles in 2017, but the return of tagger Ben Jacobs from injury and Jed Anderson's emergence as an inside midfielder has meant he's played predominantly as a defender.

Although he still has designs on a move into the midfield at some stage, McDonald is relishing being part of a tightknit backline that has helped make North 2018's stingiest team, conceding just 69.8 points a game.

"I absolutely love being in that team within the team down there, I really enjoy it," he says.

"As long as we're winning, I don't really care where I'm playing as long as I'm in the 22.

"Ultimately, I would love to play in the midfield, but I think one of my biggest strengths is being able to play wherever.

"So if that's in the backline, if that's best for the team, I'm happy to go there."