Port Adelaide quiet achiever Justin Westhoff could win his first major award at age 32
HE is Port Adelaide’s quiet achiever who is a man of so few words that he has been nicknamed “Humphrey’’ by his teammates. Now Justin Westhoff is on the verge of getting the recognition he deserves.
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HE is Port Adelaide’s quiet achiever who is a man of so few words that he has been nicknamed “Humphrey’’ by his teammates.
But come October 5, key utility Justin Westhoff could be making plenty of noise.
The oldest player on the Power’s 2018 list is in line to become its oldest ever club champion — and win his first major award in the twilight of his career.
Westhoff, who turns 32 on October 1 — four days before Port’s best and fairest count — is in his 12th season Port’s leading ranking points player with one home-and-away round left.
And Champion Data’s points system — while an inexact science — has historically been a strong pointer to predicting best and fairest winners.
Its rankings — like club champion voting — reward consistency and durability.
Leading into Friday night’s Adelaide Oval clash against Essendon, the agile, 200cm Westhoff has more total SuperCoach points than any other Power player, with 2108.
He has played all 21 of Port’s minor round matches to lead its rankings by 46 from vice-captain Ollie Wines, with pacy wingman Jared Polec, who appears poised to join North Melbourne in the trade period, sitting third on 1976 points.
“My oath he would be (a leading contender for the Power's John Cahill Medal as club champion),’’ said coach Ken Hinkley.
“He’s had a great season. For a bloke at his stage of his career he’s had an unbelievable season.
“What ‘Westy’ does as well as anyone is that he consistently performs at a level. And when you talk about awards like this you have to consistently perform and him and two or three others have done that really well this year.’’
Since debuting against Hawthorn in round 10, 2007, Westhoff — who is out of contract but certain to re-sign, according to Hinkley — has never finished higher than fourth (in 2012 and 2014) in Port club champion voting.
His only personal honour in the AFL Season Guide is a Rising Star nomination in his first year in 2007.
But he has been a model of consistency, with eight consecutive top-10 best and fairest placings.
Westhoff, who is the Power’s Mr Fixit and has this season played as a forward, defender, ruckman and wingman, has statistically enjoyed a career year.
He is averaging 20 disposals, five marks, five tackles, nine hit-outs and 100 ranking points while kicking 19 goals.
“Justin always plays pretty well,’’ Hinkley said of the 247-game Barossa boy who was drafted from SANFL club Central District at pick 71 at the 2006 national draft.
“Adelaide people would support the fact that Justin Westhoff is a really consistent player.
“He has some really good games but he doesn't have very many really poor games.
“That is his career. That’s what he’s been able to do. He is a fantastic person to have at your football club.’’
Port’s oldest club champion is star forward Warren Tredrea, who was aged 30 years, nine months when he won his equal club record fourth award in 2009.
While Westhoff could create a unique piece of history at Alberton, a new Crow could capture Adelaide’s club champion award and the gold jacket in his first year at the club.
Former Blue Bryce Gibbs, who won Carlton’s best and fairest in 2014, has a narrow lead over defensive ball magnet Rory Laird in ranking points.
The classy midfielder has played two more games than Laird, who missed two matches with a broken hand in rounds 12 and 13, to lead by just five points ahead of the club’s final match against the Blues at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.
Laird leads Adelaide in disposals with 610 at an average of 32 while averaging six marks, five rebound 50s and a team-high 117 ranking points.
He has, remarkably, passed 40 disposals in a game four times this year and should make the All-Australian team.
Gibbs has played all 21 games and averaged 26 disposals, five clearances and five tackles while kicking 12 goals. He is averaging 95 points.
Finals performances will have a bearing on the leading club champion contenders for eight clubs.
andrew.capel@news.com.au
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