BRAD Johnson believes the current Western Bulldogs line-up is the best he has played with at any stage of his 16-year career.

Johnson was part of the preliminary final sides of 1997 and '98, which included Tony Liberatore, Scott Wynd, Chris Grant, Luke Darcy, Rohan Smith, Jose Romero and Leon Cameron.

However, he said today's side was likely to achieve sustained success as it had developed as a group under Rodney Eade from his arrival for the 2005 season.

After finishing 13th in 2007, Eade steered the Dogs to a preliminary final last year.

"This is a side that is still evolving and probably has for the last three of four years," Johnson said.

"It probably is the best line up that I've been involved with, more for that reason because it has evolved whereas '97, '98 was more a group that was brought together pretty quickly with a lot of older players.

"Our core group is probably 25, 26 now, and there's a really good opportunity over the next few years with a bit of luck to play some good finals footy."

Johnson said his side had some work to do if it was to overtake current ladder-leaders St Kilda and Geelong in the second half of the season.

"They both haven't lost a game yet so they're going pretty well, aren't they?" he said.

"They deserve that mantle at the moment, being the best two teams in the competition without a doubt, and everyone strives to be as good as them."