ESSENDON may have jumped out to its best start since the year 2000 but coach James Hird is not seeing portents of greater things to come. At least, not yet.

The Bombers were seriously challenged by Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night before steadying in the final quarter to deny the Suns their first ever home victory.

The 17-point win kept Essendon's perfect start to the season intact but Hird was tempered in his assessment of the club's first flawless beginning since its famous premiership year.

"They're three gutsy wins, they're not three great wins, but they're three wins," he said post match.

It was almost two wins and a narrow loss after Gold Coast stormed back into the contest after being belted early.

Midway through the third term, a boilover threatened but, paradoxically, that was also the stage Hird began to feel more comfortable with the way his team was playing.

"Although the scoreboard didn't represent it … particularly in the third quarter, I thought we got the game back on our terms," he said.

"We had 65 per cent of the time in the forward half after half time … in the box, from about 10 minutes into the third quarter, we were very happy with the last 40 minutes of the game".

Partly, Hird put Essendon's struggles down to a failure to follow instructions - the arrival of rain signaled a departure from the Bombers' ball-in-hand game plan, one the players took time to adjust to.

But the coach was also quick to highlight the quality of an opposition not too many would have gave a chance of causing an upset.

"I thought the Suns were terrific tonight. We kicked the first four and … it would have been very easy for the Gold Coast team to pack it in.

"Their outside spread was terrific. They beat us there. And they handled the conditions, when they changed, better than we did.

"They're a very dangerous team and they're going to win a game very soon and I'm glad it's not against us".

Defender Courtenay Dempsey was subbed early in the match due to hamstring tightness but Hird said his removal was merely cautionary following the backman's knee reconstruction.

Dempsey will be available to line up against Carlton next week, which will be welcome news for a Bomber outfit already missing its fair share of players.

Fitness generally, however, is not a concern for Essendon with midfielder Ben Howlett saying the mode of the Bombers' victories in 2012 points to a team with plenty of fortitude.

"We're very confident in our fitness", he said after his 24-disposal game.

"In the last three games when the game's been on the line , we've been able to show that resilience."

The next month will be pivotal for the Dons. After Carlton, they play Collingwood on Anzac Day, before home matches against the Lions and West Coast.