Impressive Gold Coast youngster Brandon Matera is well aware that one AFL win does not make a debut season.

A week after their memorable come-from-behind win over Port Adelaide, the Suns play much-improved Essendon at Etihad Stadium.

Matera was keeping the club's first win in perspective, talking of the effort required against Essendon rather than speculating about another four premiership points.

Essendon will start strong favourites after starting the season with two wins and a draw from five matches.

"They've obviously stepped up from last year and gone right up to the top," Matera said.

"Its going to be tough for us, we're going to have to stick at it and put a lot of pressure on them and hopefully play the four quarters out and come away with a good result or be real close to them."

Matera won a Rising Star nomination for his four goals against the Power.

He was an Essendon fan growing up, but now wants to cause the Bombers some angst.

"It's going to be different because they were the team I followed when I was little and (I was) a member," he said.

"James Hird's my idol, it would be good to get one back on him."

The Suns made three changes for the game, losing key defender Nathan Bock through suspension and also dropping Maverick Weller and Daniel Gorringe.

Liam Patrick, the cousin of Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah, and Steven May will make their AFL debuts, while Matt Shaw also comes into the side.

The Bombers had speculated about resting two or three players in the wake of the tough Anzac Day loss to Collingwood.

But they have made only one change so far, leaving out Jake Melksham and promoting Michael Hibberd for his senior debut.

Veteran defender Dustin Fletcher could be a late omission after he suffered a knee injury against the Magpies and did not train on Thursday.

Essendon are an improved AFL side under Hird, but now they must post the wins to prove it.

After a testing start to the season, the Bombers have a four-game run against teams below them on the ladder.

After the Suns they host West Coast, play Brisbane away and then take on Richmond before their round-10 bye.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP