Johnson’s bold 2024 Grand Final and straight sets prediction for two contenders

Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson has made a bold Grand Final prediction.

Johnson has fifth-placed Brisbane facing off against fourth-placed GWS on the last Saturday of September at the MCG, with the Lions lifting the cup aloft.

He picked those two teams to make it to the fourth week of finals as he feels they have the most “mature-bodied” players, while he thinks the Lions win it all as they’re the best structural team in the competition.

If the Lions did win from fifth, they’d become the first team from outside of the top four to win the premiership since the Bulldogs in 2016.

“I think Brisbane and GWS have the most mature-bodied players in this final series, so I think they play off in the Grand Final,” Johnson told SEN Sportsday.

“I've said this for the majority of the year, Brisbane will win the flag.

“Once they started to come back and got into the season, I was thinking, ‘This side is strong, they’re mature bodies, they’ve got that thick set about them, Jack Payne is coming back in’. Brisbane, I think structurally have the best team in the competition.

“There’s no room for error, but they’ve come from a long way back to get them into fifth.”

Johnson thinks that the Lions and Giants will make it all the way with the teams above them falling over, namely first-placed Sydney and second-placed Port Adelaide – who he thinks will both bow out in straight sets.

“I think the Cats beat Port Adelaide and then play the Dogs and I think the Dogs can beat Port Adelaide as well,” Johnson said.

“On the other side of it, Sydney will lose to GWS, and I think Brisbane will beat Sydney (in week two).

“I think what the Giants can do through the midfield to give their forwards enough representation (will be enough). I just think that with Toby Greene Jesse Hogan and Brent Daniels, you've got enough class there to actually turn the tables the other way on the Sydney Swans.

“I'm not saying it's going to be a big loss. this is going to be a tight contest … I just think the Giants will win in what will be a nail-biter.”

The 2024 AFL finals series kicks off on Thursday night at the Adelaide Oval with the Power meeting the Cats in a Qualifying Final.