Why Brad Johnson is “sticking with” his premiership tip after finals week one

Western Bulldogs great Brad Johnson is sticking with his premiership tip.

Johnson picked Brisbane to lift the cup aloft at the start of the finals and throughout the home and away season, and after they beat Carlton at the Gabba 99-71, Johnson thinks they will win it all.

The Lions will have to do things the hard way, facing GWS in a Semi-Final this Saturday at ENGIE Stadium before a potential Preliminary Final matchup against Geelong at the MCG.

If they do make it to the last Saturday in September again, they’ll play one of Sydney, Port Adelaide or Hawthorn in the decider.

Johnson pointed to Brisbane’s 60-0 start last Saturday against the Blues to back up his pick and he discussed the side’s prospects with Gerard Healy on SEN Sportsday.

Johnson: “I've tipped Brisbane all the way through.

“I did at the start of the year and I'm sticking with the Brisbane Lions to do that.”

Healy: “What's your main concern there with Brisbane?”

Johnson: “I don't have too many concerns with the Lions at the moment, they started unbelievably well against Carlton.

“They got themselves 10 goals in front quite comfortably against the Blues and put the queue in the rack.”

Healy: “There’s been a lot of criticism around there which is totally unjustified in many respects. I mean, what did you want them to do?”

Johnson: “That's right. They did exactly what they needed to do.

“In their third quarter, they still kicked poorly. But I think they have what it takes to win it.”

If Brisbane do win the premiership, they’ll become the first team since the Bulldogs in 2016 to do so from outside of the top four.

Saturday’s Semi-Final against GWS begins at 7:30 pm (AEST).