Western Bulldogs champion Brad Johnson believes Port Adelaide is the team to beat in 2021.
The Power enters the new season as a premiership contender after adding Aliir Aliir and Orazio Fantasia to a team that won last year’s minor premiership and lost to eventual premiers Richmond by six points in a thrilling Preliminary Final.
Ken Hinkley’s side fine-tuned their preparations for the upcoming season with a 71-point hiding of rivals Adelaide in the AAMI Community Series on Sunday.
“Port Adelaide is the team to beat,” Johnson told SEN SA Breakfast.
“What they did last year and then you look at a couple of their inclusions as well which are good, and I hope (Ryan) Burton stays fit down back for them.
“I think Port Adelaide are the team to beat.”
Johnson expects the Tigers to challenge for a third consecutive flag and a fourth in five years under coach Damien Hardwick.
The six-time All-Australian says teams must start putting more time into quelling defender Dylan Grimes if Richmond are to be stopped this season.
“Richmond will obviously be thereabouts, they’re a top team,” Johnson added.
“With Richmond, you’ve got to tag Dylan Grimes every week. You cannot let this guy run free.
“I don’t know how he’s allowed to be able to still do it, he’s there general down back and once you try and take him out of the game, I think you can start chipping away at Richmond, which is really difficult to do.”
Port Adelaide and Richmond open their campaigns against North Melbourne (March 21 at Marvel Stadium) and Carlton (March 18 at the MCG) respectively.