Justin Westhoff describes 278th career goal one of his most significant in Port Adelaide’s win

NOT only did Justin Westhoff deliver the matchsealing goal against Melbourne, Port Adelaide’s ageless Mr Fixit has more good news for Power fans.

Justin Westhoff kicks for goal in the fourth quarter. Picture: Sarah Reed.

JUSTIN Westhoff has described his matchsealing goal against Melbourne as one of the most significant of his 239-game career while revealing he is close to signing a contract extension that will keep him at Port Adelaide for a 13th season.

The Power’s ageless Mr Fixit ensured Port stayed on track for a coveted top four position with a pulsating, come-from-behind, 10-point win against fellow finals contenders the Demons on Friday night with a long bomb from outside 50m with five minutes left on the clock.

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His superb set shot came just four minutes after he missed a checkside shot at goal on the run when, in hindsight, he should have passed to a wide open Chad Wingard close to goal.

Westhoff said his goal — the 278th of his stellar career — meant as much to him as any he had ever kicked.

“You don’t get too many chances to kick a goal of that magnitude so it was nice that it went through,’’ he said in typical understated fashion.

“It was an important one for the club, our season and for what we want to achieve this year.

“I had a chance to kick one a little earlier but it wasn’t meant to be so it was nice to get another opportunity and be able to seal the game.’’

Justin Westhoff kicked the matchsealing goal. Picture: AAP

Westhoff, 31, admitted he is not the longest kick at Port and doesn’t kick too many goals from outside 50m but he made perfect connection with his match-sealer that never looked like missing.

His goal came 10 minutes after teammate Sam Gray had given the Power its first lead since the 14-minute mark of the first quarter.

“I knew there wasn’t a lot of time left so I tried to take as much time off the clock as I could and I’ve been around long enough to keep a level head and was able to go back and kick it straight, which was good for the team,’’ Westhoff said.

Westhoff said Port’s courageous victory in a tough, physical game illustrated it is coming of age after it trailed a low-scoring match by 20 points in the third quarter.

“After the first quarter we were probably on the back foot a little bit and to come back and win under serious pressure showed the growing maturity of the group,’’ Westhoff said.

Westhoff said he had started contract negotiations with Port about a new one-year deal and expects it to be finalised within “the next couple of weeks’’.

“My body feels good, probably the best it’s ever felt, and I’m still enjoying the game and being involved with this group of players so I want to stick around for as long as I can,’’ he said.