Family and friends get around Port Adelaide gun Justin Westhoff as he announces his retirement
Port Adelaide’s current longest serving player Justin Westhoff has announced his retirement from AFL, with family and friends paying tribute.
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Friends and family spoke highly of Port Adelaide utility Justin Westhoff, who, after 280 games and 313 goals for the club, announced his retirement.
The boy from Tanunda was picked up by the Power with Pick 71 in the 2006 AFL Draft, before making his debut against Hawthorn in Round 10, 2007, kicking three goals in a losing side.
His dad, Danny, became emotional when speaking to The Advertiser about his son’s career.
“We’re pretty proud of him, he’s done really, really for himself playing 14 years of AFL, we can’t speak highly enough of him,” Mr Westhoff said.
“The club has been really good, he’s kept the beard all those years and if he shaved it, he’d probably back to that little fella we knew when he first started out.
“It’s been great, real good.”
Mr Westhoff looked back on his draft selection and his John Cahill Medal win a decade later with great pride.
“He was pretty late in the draft, there was no real expectation that he’d get picked up,” he said.
“A few teams had a bit of a look at him, it was a bit of a thrill … it seems such a long time ago.
“He’s been in the top 10 of the best and fairest for quite a few years, he had a ripper season that year.
“That was a bloody highlight and his name will be on the board forever.”
His old assistant and senior coach at Alberton, Matthew Primus, said he was the ultimate team man.
“The memories of him when he first came to the club are the same that you have of him now, he was a guy who came in, no fuss, no issues, no dramas, just a guy who loved doing hard work,” he said.
“He had a really smart footy brain, he had a team first mindset and do anything for the team, hence why he’s played a variety of different positions from day one.
“He’s quietly spoken, but when he did speak, people would listen.
“He was just a pleasure to coach, nothing was any dramas, whether the team was going bad or great, he was going good or bad, there was never dramas being thrown around the ball or in the ruck, he’d do whatever was needed.
“He was always about the team, he’d always ask what he could do to help the team.”
His brother and former teammate at Port Adelaide, Matt, said he, along with their eldest brother Leigh, were incredibly close growing up.
“What you see with Justin is what you get really, we were pretty close in age and we hung around each other,” Matt said.
“We kept each other entertained in the backyard playing different sport at what not.”
Matt was drafted by the Power with Pick 33 in the 2007 National Draft, and he said it’s something he looks back on fondly.
“That was good, it was only brief, but it’s good for the family, it’s something we can be proud of,” Matt said.
“It’s something we’ll look back on when we’re older and enjoy it.”
Westhoff has grown into a leader at Alberton, and Matt was overjoyed with how much his brother has grown.
“To have that many years is pretty impressive and the years go on, you do become a leader,” he said.
“I’m heaps proud of him, not everyone gets to have that many years at that level.
“He’s had some pretty up and down times, so it’s a credit to him to stick around through it all, and hopefully he can get back out there this year and see what happens.”
His close mate and business partner at Forage Supply Co, Scott Rogasch said Westhoff is a “big family man” and his career has been down to “hard work, dedication and sacrifice.”
“As a bloke, you can’t get a much better bloke than him,” Mr Rogasch said.
“He was pretty quiet [growing up] as you could imagine, but very talented at sport.
“He got to the AFL system real early, that took up a lot of his youth.
“It was awesome to see his first year, and he played in a grand final against Geelong that year.
“He had that standout first year which was great and to see him grow with footy and consistency and how he’s become a real leader of the club now too.”
While his on-field leadership has been commended, Mr Rogasch said his off-field work has been unbelievable.
“He’s a genuine human and what he’s done with the Hutt Street Centre has been incredible, he’s never let the spotlight overtake him, he’s always kept real close with his mates back in the Barossa,” Mr Rogasch said.
“He played footy and kept that connection with all of his friends in Tanunda.
“He’s had a fantastic career and something he should be proud of.
“We’re hoping he can get back in and finish with a flag.”
With his retirement, Westhoff has been linked to returning to his hometown club in Tanunda to play alongside his two brothers.
Danny, who is also the Magpies’ president, said it’d be great to see.
“That’d be good, he’s got four young children and he’ll have to see how things go and what he wants to do,” Mr Westhoff said.
“But it would be great to see the three boys playing back at the one club.”