The North youngster polled maximum votes from two judges (Warren Tredrea and Kevin Barlett), but finished behind the Bulldogs' Marcus Bontompelli and winner, the Lions' Lewis Taylor.
McDonald averaged 17 disposals a game this year, fitting in seamlessly in North's back six.
The 19-year-old is set to return to the Kangaroos' lineup this week after being rested against Melbourne.
The final votes were as follows:
2014 NAB AFL Rising Star
| Player | Team | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Taylor | BL | 39 |
| Marcus Bontempelli | WB | 38 |
| Luke McDonald | NM | 32 |
| James Aish | BL | 19 |
| Kade Kolodjashnij | GC | 7 |
| Luke Dunstan | STK | 5 |
| Tom Langdon | COLL | 5 |
| Harry Cunningham | SYD | 3 |
| Josh Kelly | GWS | 1 |
| Jarman Impey | PORT | 1 |
The selectors' votes were as follows:
Gillon McLachlan
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – Luke McDonald
2 – James Aish
1 – Harry Cunningham
Mark Evans
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – James Aish
2 – Luke Dunstan
1 – Harry Cunningham
Danny Frawley
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – Luke McDonald
2 – Kade Kolodjashnij
1 – Harry Cunningham
Warren Tredrea
5 – Luke McDonald
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – Lewis Taylor
2 – Kade Kolodjashnij
1 – Jarman Impey
Glen Jakovich
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – James Aish
3 – Marcus Bontempelli
2 – Luke McDonald
1 – Luke Dunstan
Cameron Ling
5 – James Aish
4 – Luke McDonald
3 – Tom Langdon
2 – Marcus Bontempelli
1 – Luke Dunstan
Luke Darcy
5 – Marcus Bontempelli
4 – Luke McDonald
3 – Lewis Taylor
2 – Kade Kolodjashnij
1 – James Aish
Matthew Richardson
5 – Lewis Taylor
4 – Marcus Bontempelli
3 – Luke McDonald
2 – James Aish
1 – Josh Kelly
Kevin Bartlett
5 – Luke McDonald
4 – Lewis Taylor
3 – Marcus Bontempelli
2 – James Aish
1 – Luke Dunstan
Kevin Sheehan
5 – Marcus Bontempelli
4 – Lewis Taylor
3 – Luke McDonald
2 – Tom Langdon
1 – Kade Kolodjashnij
