AT A Glance Junior Clubs: Tanunda Clubs: Port Adelaide (2006 National Draft, pick 71) Debut: Rd 10, 2007 v Hawthorn Recruited from: Central District Sponsors: Alexander Brown Architects A cult figure, 'The Hoff' is a key attacking target when playing forward and a valuable post in defence. He is at his best though when he uses his mobility to accumulate possessions and link both ends of the ground. Westhoff’s marking ability and great endurance base means that at his best he can dominate games. TIMELINE 2010 Dropped to the SANFL midway through the season, Westhoff returned to the Power in career best form as a roaming forward under caretaker coach Matt Primus.His ability to mark the ball in contested situations proved critical to the side’s late-season resurrection of fortune. 2011 Westhoff played 20 games for the season and put in several noteworthy performances, despite hitting patches of inconsistency at times. Forced to play in different positions including on the wing, in the ruck and down back, Westhoff spent much of the year adapting to his new multi-role tasks sheet.He led the club for contested marks in a year where he kicked 23 goals. 2012 Westhoff played every game in 2012 and was employed as a hybrid forward all year – often drifting back into defence and rotating as a ruck support with his powerful running ability allowing to playmore game time than any player of the senior list. He kicked 28 goals having spent increasing time in the forward fifty during the last four rounds of the season. 2013 Missing just one game (through suspension) Westhoff became one of the top 50 players in the competition and arguably the best 'swingman' going around. It was thanks to resounding performances including a game-saver against St Kilda in Round 17 that his high-flying long-distance game became known around the nation.Westhoff finished the year by winning Port Adelaide's Coaches' Award as the player who best upheld the team values. 2014 Westhoff had arguably his most consistent season at AFL level, booting 29 goals, averaging 19 disposals per game and ranking second in the AFL for marks with 182. He was again remarkably versatile, dominating up forward at times and also floating down to the back line to stem the flow when needed. 2015 Westhoff's 2015 season was much like the Power's - up and down. While his numbers remained strong, he wasn't able to produce the consistency he showed in 2014. He was, however, again remarkably versatile, playing every position from key forward to key back to midfielder to ruckman. 2016 The arrival of Charlie Dixon freed Westhoff up to play upfield more, and he finally started getting the recognition he warrants as the Power's ultimate Mr Versatile. Spent plenty of time being thrown back to provide support given the Power's deteriorating season through both team injury and team form. His maturity and experience are unrivalled in the team. 2017 Another very consistent year from Justin Westhoff saw him play every game in 2017. The Power utility averaged nearly 20 possessions a game, and kicked one of the best goals of the year in Port’s first-ever game in China. 2018 2018 was a year to remember for Justin Westhoff. Port's most versatile player was in career-best form which culminated in him winning his first John Cahill Medal. The 32-year-old kicked 24 goals and averaged 20 touches a game for the season.
