Fremantle Dockers defender Michael Johnson returns to footy this weekend. Source: News Corp Australia
FREMANTLE defender Michael Johnson was in agony after back surgery last September but it didn't hurt as much as sitting out straight-sets finals defeats.
The star linkman returns for a first chance at redemption against Port Adelaide's powerhouse forwards in a season opening blockbuster at Subiaco where home ground advantage has been somewhat neutralised.
It is Port's third visit to confront the Dockers in their past three home engagements but Fremantle guards a healthy first-up record with opening week victories in the past six seasons, the best of any current AFL squads.
"I think every game is a big game and the competition is getting harder and harder to win," the 30-year-old said.
"We have worked hard over the last few weeks in the NAB Cup against quality teams and we've been focusing on Port Adelaide, even though we do have some big games coming up."
The 2013 All-Australian defender conceded early wins were vital to hopes of another top-four finish and an important double finals chance through September.
"We haven't really thought of it in any way but you always want to start the year off on a high and with four points," Johnson said.
"You train all pre-season for this day and it is a bonus if you walk away with four points.
"It's never that we think about the home ground advantage and all of that, being Round 1 it's all the hard work you put in over the pre-season and you just hope that it all falls into place on the day."
Johnson said there had been an emphasis on goalkicking over the summer.
Fremantle virtually booted itself out of a preliminary final last year when it managed 6.11 to half-time against the freewheeling Port's 3.5 with the Dockers eventually going down by 22 points, 15.15 (105) to 11.17 (83).
More notoriously the Dockers butchered 17 set-shots for just 6.3 in their 15-point Grand Final loss to Hawthorn two years ago.
Despite the emphasis on finishing, the Dockers 19-point win over West Coast in the last NAB game a fortnight back was marred with 14.17.
"Everything has been stepped up and that is the way we move the ball, the way we finish and chuck in your stoppages and rebound 50s," Johnson said.
"We should be improving and goalkicking is one of those things in the past that has hurt us and as a player you always want to improve your game.
"That goes for anyone that can end up forward or with a shot on goal.
"I know the forwards have been working hard ... on their routines and on their goalkicking and time will tell, especially late in quarters and later in the game when games are on the line in a close match.
"It's one of those skills we needed to improve ... I think we're heading the right way."
Johnson, a spiritual Dockers leader, is an out of contract free agent at the end of a season and could play his 200th game in round 10 if he can remain injury free.
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