The last time ‘Buddy’ played against Freo was the 2013 AFL Grand Final as a Hawthorn player.
Johnson, who has played on tall forwards in the past, expected one of Freo’s two key defenders to get the job when the team plays Franklin’s new team Sydney at the SCG on Saturday.
“We’ve got a couple of quality tall defenders down there,” he said.
“I’m guessing Luke McPharlin or Zac Dawson could take him, but we’ve got a side that can match up with anyone, so we’ll just wait and see on game day.”
Franklin has kicked seven goals in the Swans’ 1-3 start to the season.
Johnson said win-loss records didn’t interest Freo and the side was fully aware of what Sydney were capable of.
“They’re a quality team with a lot of experience,” he said.
“They’ve had a couple of tough games, but we know that as soon as we get over there it’s a whole new game.
“We’ll go over and we’ll treat it as another game, knowing we’re playing a quality side.
“We won’t be taking them lightly. It’s at their home ground at the SCG, and hopefully we can come away with a win.”
