LUKE McDonald says the second-year blues he endured in 2015 have made him "hungrier" to bounce back next season.

After an outstanding debut season when he finished third in the 2014 NAB AFL Rising Star award, the North Melbourne defender hit a few speed humps this year.

Following a slow start to the season, he was dropped from North's senior team for the first time after the shattering fadeout loss to Collingwood in round nine.

Finally recalled in round 17 after a lengthy stint in the VFL, McDonald was dropped again on the eve of the finals.

He watched from the MCG stands as the Roos beat Richmond by 17 points in the first elimination final, but got a late call-up for North's semi-final clash against the Sydney Swans when key defender Robbie Tarrant tweaked his groin in the warm-up.

The thrill of being part of the Roos' 26-point win – and of kicking his first AFL goal in the opening term – soon faded when McDonald was replaced by Tarrant for the second preliminary final against West Coast at Domain Stadium.

McDonald told AFL.com.au this week it was tough watching the Roos lead the Eagles for the entire first half before being overrun in the final two quarters, their season ultimately ending with a brave 25-point loss.

But the 20-year-old wants to channel the memory of that night and his other 2015 lows to spur him on this pre-season, next season and beyond.

"I think that whole experience last year is going to hold me in good stead for next year and hopefully for the rest of my career," McDonald said.

"I got subbed a couple of weeks in a row (in rounds eight and nine) so I knew it was coming, but you never want to get dropped.

"In hindsight, though, you just realise how you've just got to keep improving and if you're not playing to the best of your ability then there are 10 other blokes in the twos that are just chomping at the bit to take your spot.

"Obviously, the toughest thing was missing out on the finals. September footy, that's what we all play for, so to be on the sidelines was shattering. But it's definitely a big motivator for me, not only for next year but for years to come.

"The whole year definitely made me that little bit hungrier to do everything I can to try and keep my spot."

As disappointing as McDonald's year was, he is confident he can bounce back in 2016.

Speaking from North's high-altitude training camp in Utah, McDonald said the back injury that disrupted his 2015 pre-season is no longer troubling him after "a fair bit" of off-season strengthening work.

With his body sound, McDonald is excited by the prospect of working on his aerobic fitness this summer.

"As a junior, that was a real strength of mine and I want to take that to the next level this year," he said.

"Obviously, it's only December now but I'm just doing everything I can to be in the best shape I can be to get my spot back."

During his five-game VFL stint in the middle of last season, McDonald worked hard on the defensive side of his game and his kicking. He still feels he is yet to fully showcase the elite foot skills he was renowned for as a junior on the AFL stage.

The defender senses competition for spots in North's 22 will be fierce next year, but knows that will only help the club's bid to improve on its 2014 and 2015 preliminary final appearances.

He is buoyed by the good health of North's list compared to this time last year, when a host of Roos were recovering from off-season operations.

And he says no one at North shares the popular view that the club's premiership window is set to slam shut when veterans Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Jarrad Waite, Nick Dal Santo and Daniel Wells retire.

"Everyone says we've got a lot of old players but we've got a lot of young players coming through who are just really looking for an opportunity – and I'm tipping when they get that opportunity they'll take it," he said.

"Taylor Garner snuck in towards the end of the year and showed what he could do. And with a full pre-season under his belt I really expect him to take his game to the next level.

"Jed Anderson, you can just see his class coming in. He's a really good ball user and he's definitely going to add something to the team once he gets his spot."