PORT Adelaide has secured the signatures of another two out-of-contract players with promising young midfielder Andrew Moore and flexible tall forward and midfielder Justin Westhoff both agreeing to stay on at Alberton.
This comes after the Power also re-signed key young defenders Jackson Trengove and Alipate Carlile in the past week.
Moore has played 13 games since arriving at Port Adelaide as a first round selection (No. 9 overall) at the 2009 AFL Draft.
The 20 year old made his debut for the Power in the Club’s Round 1 victory against North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium in 2010.
Port Adelaide senior coach Matthew Primus says Moore will be a very important player for the Power moving forward.
“We’re delighted to have re-secured Andrew’s signature,” Primus said.
“He hasn’t had a great run with injuries over the last couple of years but we’re confident they’re behind him now and we look forward to him playing an important role through our midfield and down back as well.
“He’s already a good size and we’re confident he can build on that with another solid pre-season, so we see Andrew as a very exciting future prospect for us for many years to come.”
Moore said it was a simple decision to continue on at Alberton after consulting his family and friends in Melbourne.
“It was a very easy decision for me to stay on at Port Adelaide,” Moore said.
“My family and friends are a large part of my life and once I sat down and spoke to them about my future I had no hesitation in staying on here at the Power.”
Moore says he’s got great confidence in the direction of the Club.
“I’ve got huge confidence in Matty (Matthew Primus) and where he’s taking our group,” Moore said.
“He’s been terrific over the last year and with Jacko (Jackson Trengove) and Bobby (Alipate Carlile) signing over the last week it just shows how much confidence our group has in Matty and his plans for the future.”
Westhoff has played 88 games and kicked 112 goals for the Power since being recruited in the 2006 AFL Draft as a fifth round selection (No. 71 overall).
Westhoff, who turns 25 in early October, made his debut in Round 10, 2007, against Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium. Such was his impact in his first year, he was awarded the Wanganeen Medal as the best under 21 year old player in 2007.
Primus says that Westhoff has proven to be a very flexible player who has plenty of up-side.
“Justin is a very influential and flexible player for us so we’re thrilled to have him sign on here at Port Adelaide,” Primus said.
“He has a unique ability to play as a forward and as a midfielder, or as we’ve seen at stages this year, he can also play in the ruck for us.
“We’re confident that he’s built a solid foundation to play some really, good consistent football for us over the next few years.”
Westhoff says he loves the Club and he’s very excited about what the future holds.
“I’ve always loved playing for Port Adelaide and I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to continue on,” Westhoff said.
“We all know as a playing group what Matty (Matthew Primus) is about and where he’s taking our Club and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.
“I’ve already been here at the Power for five years and I would now love to repay the faith the Club has had in me by developing as a leader within the team and being a one club player.”
