RECRUIT Justin Westhoff couldn’t ask for a better mentor in the AFL.

Such is the Power’s confidence in the promising forward, the club has assigned captain Warren Tredrea the task of guiding Westhoff through the early stages of his career.

The 20-year-old was taken by Port Adelaide at pick number 71 in last year’s AFL NAB National Draft after an impressive season with Central Districts in the SANFL.

Westhoff booted 31 goals in his first season of league footy with the Dogs, including four in his debut against West Adelaide.

The towering forward has continued his straight-shooting over the pre-season, bagging seven goals in the past two weeks of SANFL practice matches.

Westhoff returned ‘home’ to Alberton on Saturday but found himself in the visitor’s locker room.

“It was a bit funny playing at Alberton against Port Adelaide but it’s a bonus because obviously I know the ground pretty well,” Westhoff said. “It was pretty windy so I was happy to get three goals.”

At almost 200cm, Westhoff is just about the tallest key forward going around.Add a bit of bulk to his solid marking ability, excellent fitness and accurate kicking and Westhoff looms as a mouth-watering prospect for Power supporters.

“I’ve put on about three kilos over the pre-season,” he said. “I’m pretty skinny as you can probably see so I’m happy to put on a bit.”

A light frame didn’t prevent Westhoff making his Port Adelaide debut against some tough opposition in the NAB Challenge game against St Kilda.

“I lined up on (Brendon) Goddard and (Sam) Fisher – quality footballers. It was a bit weird playing on those guys. The game was played at a lot higher intensity than the SANFL but it was a great experience to be involved in.”

Despite being at the club less than six months, Westhoff is confident of pulling on the Port Adelaide guernsey again this year. But he knows there’s work to be done before he can edge out other promising Power forwards Ryan Willits and Adam Cockshell.

“I’m definitely looking to play AFL this year. I’m aiming for four or five, which I don’t think is unrealistic. Hopefully I’ll get a few more than that but I’ll just try and get the one under my belt first and then go from there.

“I don’t think I’ll be in the Power squad this week but I’m not sure. I’m kind of borderline at the moment. There are about 20 guys fighting for 10 spots so you just don’t know, but if the chance comes up I’ll definitely grab it.”

Unlike a lot of first-year players, Westhoff has been afforded the luxury of staying in his home town.

The ‘Hoff’, as his teammates have tagged him, comes from a strong footy family, with two brothers also at Central Districts. Westhoff believes his footy at Elizabeth has helped him make a smoother transition to AFL.

“Centrals puts a big focus on fitness so that made it a bit easier coming here (Alberton) with that sort of background. I think they (Central Districts) are expecting more from me this year which is probably a good thing for me and the boys have all been pretty supportive.”

But there are some things not even league footy could prepare the sharp-shooter for.

“At Centrals we could have a bit of a break but here you really have to live footy.

“Tuesday is meant to be our day off but the first-year players still often come in and do a bit extra.

“We also average at least one meeting a day, sometimes two. It’s not at all what I expected, like having exams at a footy club was surprising.

“It’s just hectic all the time but I’m getting used to it.

“But playing AFL footy was my goal in life so it's like a dream and getting paid for it is just a bonus. I really am living the dream.”