AFL career Justin Westhoff

1 afl career

1.1 2007
1.2 2008–2009
1.3 2010–2011
1.4 2013–present

afl career
2007

when drafted power, westhoff s appointed player-mentor skipper warren tredrea.

on 17 april, westhoff controversially suspended 2 games high contact on north adelaide captain darryl wintle during central district s 7-goal defeat of roosters in round 1 of sanfl. suspension prevented him playing 3 weeks, central district had bye during period.

on 3 june, westhoff s consistent goal kicking dominance @ local level saw him make afl debut port adelaide against hawthorn. in eventful debut performed strongly, booting 3 goals (including 2 first 2 kicks) become first power player register trio of majors on debut. westhoff reported charging hawks clinton young in last quarter, later dismissed match review panel, deemed contact unintentional , unavoidable.

westhoff had career-best game against west coast eagles in round 15, on 14 july, kicking 4 goals, including 2 contested marks on eventual all-australian full darren glass. power coach mark williams praised performance calling forward line work brilliant . westhoff s performance further recognised afl rising star nomination round 15. has equalled personal best 4-goal haul 6 times, never has scored many points in game round 15, 2007.

westhoff s strong season ended in him finishing 4th in 2007 afl rising star competition, gathering total of 10 votes. recognised gavin wanganeen medal , best first-year player award @ power s club champion venue.

westhoff played in port adelaide s losing afl grand final side of 2007 @ mcg. opponent on day, matthew scarlett, had 30 possessions, while westhoff unable have impact on game, being pushed off in contests due slight stature. prompted him bulk in following years improve contested-marking abilities , allowing him kick bags of goals. port adelaide refused allow him play in central districts winning grand final side following week, not allowing him win premiership club , brothers had played of junior football.

2008–2009

westhoff in 2007.

the 2008 season saw westhoff play different role 2007 season in played more ground, unlike previous season played lot closer goals. result, westhoff s goal kicking average saw decline, managing 22 goals in 21 games season, role increased average of disposals 8.9 11.3; , marks 4.6 5.7 game.

on 7 may westhoff signed 3 year contract extension stay power until end of 2011 season.

at 1 stage, westhoff dropped power s lineup in round 13 game against richmond tigers due poor form. however, found way side week after, kicking 3 goals central district.

averaging 2.5 goals game in preseason, westhoff named in power s starting 18 against bombers round 1, performed strongly, kicking 3 goals , picking 15 disposals (including 10 marks). however, in round 2, fractured foot , out 6 weeks, being placed on long-term injury list. returned in round 11 after late withdrawal robert gray, , despite not having played games since injury, still managed kick 2 goals 16 disposals (including 10 marks). finished season kicking 20 goals in 13 games.

2010–2011

the 2010 season saw westhoff play ruckman, in position made vacant brendon lade, retired. proved himself still valuable part of power s forwardline, dominating in showdown xxviii, leading power in goalkicking 3 goals in third quarter. scoring efforts put game out of reach of adelaide crows. after round 10, 2010, dropped due poor performance in previous game. in return match of showdown xxix, returned form of in season 4 goals gave power win. carried form following week s game against hawthorn, in strong performance earned him spot in afl team of week.

in round 4 of 2011, westhoff won showdown medal.

2013–present

the 2013 season saw westhoff play centre half forward drop defense when required newly appointed coach ken hinkley. started , tipped high brownlow placing after 4 games played , saw port adelaide going undefeated first 5 games of season. in later games remained key player impact died off , place in team became dubious before run of form saw him become key player. established himself in 2 finals games played against collongwood , geelong. season saw him come 5th port adelaide s prestigious john cahill medal 199 votes. capped off season 31 goals , 7 brownlow votes.

westhoff went off again in 2014, enjoying strong year. playing every game, registered career highs in both marks , disposals. played wingman pinch hits mobile forward. westhoff started season 20 disposals, 8 marks , 5 goals against blues. first of 7 games registered 20 or more disposals , 2 or more goals in game.

in season 2015, addition of paddy ryder, time both forward , relief ruckman became limited. such, became of roaming wingman. struggled in year both in terms of finding football , hitting scoreboard, kicking 5 goals in first 8 games. season went on, westhoff gathered momentum. key player in port s win on collingwood absolutely dominant first half , best on ground against fremantle in final game of season.