Port Adelaide veteran Justin Westhoff embracing the grind as the Power head to Queensland for training camp
He might be 33-years-old, but Justin Westhoff is relishing putting in the hard toil this pre-season as Port Adelaide prepares for its Queensland training camp next week.
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Port Adelaide’s veteran workhorse Justin Westhoff is embracing the chance to get away on training camp with his new teammates next week to help fast-track their fitness, development and spot in the team.
The Power heads to Maroochydore next Thursday hoping to replicate the physical conditioning and team connection they gained from spending four days in Noosa last pre-season.
Westhoff might be 33-years-old, but challenged himself to return to pre-season training in the best shape possible as he and the club head into a significant year in 2020.
“I think we’ve laid an awesome foundation going forward with some of the guys we got on board - even the young guys last week as well - and everyone is fit and ready to go,” he said.
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“We go away on camp next week, we put a big focus on that (in Noosa) last year, and I think we’re streets ahead of that this year and I’m looking forward to getting away as a whole group and working through a tough slog leading into Christmas, which is really important.”
Port Adelaide welcomed its latest round of draftees last week including four picks inside the top 25 of the national draft - Miles Bergman, Mitch Georgiades, Dylan Williams and Jackson Mead.
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It comes after its top three draft picks last year - Connor Rozee, Zak Butters and Xavier Duursma combined for 61 games in their rookie season in 2019.
“I had a chance to see them train yesterday, apart from last year we haven’t that those early picks so it’s good to have that a couple of years in a row and a couple of bigger boys as well, a bit of size will be really exciting,” Westhoff said.
“There are some forwards and a bit of grunt through the midfield with a couple of father/sons, which going into the 150th year is really big as well.”
Westhoff was in Rundle Mall on Tuesday selling the Christmas edition of ‘The Big Issue’ and a 2020 calendar.
“Small organisations like this (The Big Issue) do an amazing job for people who don’t always have the support around them and an hour of my time is a pretty easy thing for me to do before Christmas to spread a bit of cheer,” he said.
He also said he’s happy to continue playing whatever role coach Ken Hinkley requires of him next year whether that’s forward, midfield or in defence.
“Obviously last year was a bit of a turbulent year for me personally, but I’m optimistic about the future and still really looking forward to being involved with the group and putting my best foot forward personally,” he said.
“I don’t think my role will change much but the dynamic of the group has changed with a bit of youth.
“We’ve lost a little bit of experience, but that’s part of the challenge I’m really keen to undertake and share my experiences to develop these guys as quickly as possible.”