By Nat Edwards

Gold Coast SUNS midfielder Daniel Harris has declared Essendon a genuine premiership contender and has taken solace in knowing that the Bombers were also a young struggling side not too long ago.

As the final siren sounded, Harris found himself talking to Essendon skipper Jobe Watson about how far his club had come in the past 12 months.

Watson is no stranger to heartache, and has had to bear the cross of playing in a developing side over the past few years.

Under Matthew Knights last year the Bombers had their fair share of hidings, but in 2011 with favourite son James Hird at the helm and a new game plan, the club has been able to hand out a few beltings of its own including the 139-point demolition of the GC SUNS on Sunday.

While Harris knows the GC SUNS have a long way to go before they challenge for finals, he takes comfort in the fact Essendon's developing years are finally paying off.

"I said [to Watson] that's where we want to get to, and he said 'it took us four or five years'. So that's the track we've got to go down and it's a good learning curve for the young boys," Harris said.

"We're a very young side, it's baby steps. We took a step forward last week, had a win and we want to bottle that feeling and have it again this year.

"They are a very quality team. They're really going to challenge for the flag I reckon. I think it's about moving forward now. We've come off a win last week but obviously we've come up against a quality opponent."

The GC SUNS will need to regroup quickly with the inaugural derby at the Gabba against the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night their next challenge.

It is a chance for the club to promote their brand and begin to develop the rivalry between the two Queensland clubs.

The Lions have yet to win their first game of the season, despite being in winning positions in several games against Melbourne and St Kilda.

"We want to go up there and have a win," Harris said.

"It's going to be a big build up for the week and that's good for the club. We've just got to go back to doing what we do well. It's about practising as much as we can on the track at training and hopefully executing on game day."

At this stage only key forward Charlie Dixon appears to be in doubt for the clash with a calf injury and the GC SUNS will need to be fully fit with the bigger bodied Brisbane Lions sure to be hungry for victory.

But Harris says Gold Coast SUNS won't be pushed around.

"They'll come out and try and physically intimidate us," Harris said.

"It's up to the older guys to lead the way but I think the young guys have been fantastic throwing their bodies in. If we can do that harder and for longer we're a chance to win."