PORT ADELAIDE champion Justin Westhoff says there is still a bit of his AFL story to be told, despite today announcing he will retire at the end of the season.
Westhoff, 33, informed his teammates at a meeting on Thursday of his decision to give up the game after his 14th season.
The 2018 John Cahill Medallist said he elected to make the call now after much consideration because he did not want questions about his future to be a distraction to the side come finals time.
“It’s probably been a one or two month conversation I’ve been having with my family and obviously Kenny and the guys around the club,” Westhoff admitted at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“It’s probably no surprise to anyone that this year is going to be the last and I’ve approached that over the last year knowing that.
“It’s come to a head this week where I thought it was a great time to get it out in the open, enjoy the last period of time that I’m here as a player and whatever that entails, just enjoy that process.
“Hopefully get a bit of a four-five week send off and whatever that will be will be.”
Westhoff said it was a difficult decision but he knew it was the right time to step away from the rigours of professional sport and dedicate himself more to his family and private business ventures.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be at this club for 14 years and if you’d said that to me in my first day here that this is the way it was going to pan out then I’m more than happy to entertain that idea of calling it quits at a time I thought was appropriate,” he explained.
“It sure is tough to concede that you’re not going to be out here and playing the game you love so much with the guys that you build a relationship with over a period of time.
“That was probably the hardest thing – telling the guys today. Most of them knew but not experiencing that going forward next year and going on the ride with those guys is going to be a bit of a bizarre feeling but there comes a time when you’re looking forward to more things outside of the AFL bubble.
“I’ve got four kids at home, which will be more than happy to see me around and I’m pretty keen to experience those things and watch my young lad play footy every week and live through him a little bit.”
Having played 280 AFL games so far for 313 goals, Westhoff is second at the club for AFL games played (behind Kane Cornes on 300) and third for goals.
While the temptation was there to try and play another year to reach the 300, Westhoff said that was never a motivation for him.
“There’s no point getting greedy and a little bit selfish trying to push the line into next year and I thought it was just a good time to sit back and enjoy what it is I’ve been able to achieve and celebrate that with the guys with no pressure myself thinking about what can or can’t be next year.
“I could sit down and crack the shits and get a little bit greedy and have (300 games) as my goal but that’s never been a goal of mine to play 300 games. I just wanted to play every game like it’s my best game.
“That’s never been a thought that I’ve entertained at all. Team success has been the driver for me, it’s never been a personal thing. I’ll play as many games as I can, 300 has never been a driving force for me.
“I just wanted to be known as the ultimate team man and someone that you want to be walking out there with each game and someone who is really reliable with doing the right thing and doing everything they can to win games of footy for the club.
“I think I’ve probably achieved that and that’s something I’ll really hang my hat on.”
Drafted as a tall and very skinny forward at pick 71 in 2006, many would not have expected much from Westhoff, who has gone on to become one of the most versatile and respected players in the game.
As recently as this season, Westhoff has played in the forward line, backline, on the wing and in the ruck.
“Nobody really gave me a chance to play but for (then coach) Mark Williams and the club to give me that opportunity and put those years into me, which I’m really indebted to those guys who set me up to still be here today, and to keep me for so many years and have faith in me to perform and be part of a great club.
“Players come and go and you try and make your mark on the club and then things move on.
“Hopefully I’ve made my mark on the club and the players and people around you.”
That he has. Coach Ken Hinkley described him as the most respected player by his teammates that he had ever seen.
During the retirement announcement to the side, Hinkley told the team that they would have achieved great things if they left the game with as much respect as Westhoff has from the competition.
In 2020, Westhoff has played in 12 of the club’s 16 games and has been out of the last two because of his form.
While he knows there is no guarantee he will be able to break back into the team for its premiership tilt, Westhoff has promised to do all he can to help the team achieve the ultimate prize.
“There’s still a bit of the story to be told, whether that’s playing another four games, one game or if that’s I’ve played my last game, then so be it,” he said.
“Footy is a funny thing. I’ve seen it all over the last 14 years and nothing surprises me anymore.
“There’s hopefully an opportunity for me but if that’s not the case, the beers will still be cold and I’ll still have as many with the boys – win, lose or draw – come the end of the season.”
As for his best memories, Westhoff counts playing in a Grand Final in his first season, Ken Hinkley’s exciting first season at the club and building friendships with teammates and others around the club as the highlights of his career.
He explained that he would miss the aftermath of games and celebrating with a beer, as well as the support he has received from supporters over his time.
“I’ve been really lucky over my time to have the support of the members and supporters, and even the SA locals,” Westhoff said.
“It’s a good thing when people come up to you, even if they support other clubs, and they love the way I go about it each week. It’s probably even more of a compliment when they say they hate when you play their own team.
“I’ve always felt over the time that the supporter base here has been unbelievable for me to be honest and that’s something I can’t ever really repay.”
