Before Sunday's season-opener against Geelong at Telstra Dome, the Bulldogs appeared vulnerable without key defenders Chris Grant and Brian Harris.
Instead, the decisive battle happened up the other end of the ground as Johnson kicked eight goals in the 17.11 (113) to 13.15 (93) win.
As he did so often last season, Johnson outclassed taller opponents by making the most of his marking strength and outstanding fitness.
At 182cm, he gave away 10cm in height to his opponents, former All-Australian full-back Matthew Scarlett and new Cats captain Tom Harley.
But Johnson first worked hard up the field to take Scarlett out of the goalsquare and then kicked half his goals in the second term as the Bulldogs converted a four-point deficit at the first change into a 22-point lead at the main break.
"Clearly, Brad Johnson should get best on ground, three Brownlow votes and nearly get everything, shouldn't he, because it was a great performance," said Geelong coach Mark Thompson.
Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade also rates Johnson one of the best he has seen in his three decades as an AFL player and coach.
"It's about talent, isn't it? You would think a guy (who is) at least six-foot-three (190cm) would be able to at least spoil on him," Eade said."He's more than a good player, he's a great ... he'd certainly be one of your first picked in my time because of what he can do at his size."Johnson's only blemish came in the last term, when he had an unsuccessful shot for goal while Jason Akermanis was by himself in the goalsquare.
"I did speak to Brad about that. Sometimes blokes get the blinkers on a bit, don't they?," Eade said."He reckons he didn't see him (Akermanis), but perhaps he just saw those big white 'chaps'."While Johnson was on fire in attack, Cameron Wight and Ryan Hargrave impressed as key defenders and Lindsay Gilbee played above his height while setting up counterattacks with his pinpoint disposal.
The Bulldogs set up the win with a run of eight unanswered goals, starting with Johnson's first just before quarter-time.
The Bulldogs welcomed back Luke Darcy and Robert Murphy from knee reconstructions, while star recruit Jason Akermanis marked his first minor-round game as a Dog with his famous handstand to the crowd at the final siren.
The Cats looked the better side in the opening term, leading by 10 points just before the break.
But Johnson's first goal of the game, a booming shot from outside 50m, reduced the margin to four points at quarter-time.
That was the start of an eight-goal burst from the Dogs, including another four to Johnson, as they took control in the second term.
One of the highlights of the Bulldogs' surge was a superb run up the middle of the ground, with Adam Cooney initially punching the ball forward under pressure.
A smart handball from Nathan Eagleton then set up Akermanis for his first goal as a Bulldog.
The Bulldogs led by six goals before the Cats capitalised on a turnover on the wing and Cameron Mooney goalled 21 minutes into the quarter.
David Wojcinski kicked another goal late in the second term that gave Geelong a sniff, trailing by 22 points at the main break.
But the Bulldogs kicked four goals to one in the third term for a decisive 37-point lead at three-quarter time.
WESTERN BULLDOGS 4.5 11.7 15.8 17.11 (113)GEELONG 5.3 7.9 8.13 13.15 (93)
Goals: Western Bulldogs: B Johnson 8, A Cooney 2, D Giansiracusa 2, L Gilbee, J Akermanis, R Hargrave, L Darcy, R Murphy.Geelong: C Mooney 3, N Ablett 3, D Wojcinski 2, J Bartel, A Mackie, C Gardiner, G Ablett, P Chapman.
Best: Western Bulldogs: B Johnson, D Cross, L Gilbee, A Cooney, R Griffen. Geelong: C Enright, J Bartel, C Ling, N Ablett.
Official crowd: 42,626 at Telstra Dome.
Umpires: C Donlon D Margetts S Meredith.
