Port Adelaide veteran Justin Westhoff knows he is still player in the Power’s premiership chase
PORT Adelaide veteran Justin Westhoff played in an AFL grand final in his first season - and the new Power club champion wants nothing more to be there again in his 13th year in the big league.
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PORT Adelaide’s oldest player, Justin Westhoff, is taking his first John Cahill Medal as the Power’s club champion as a sign he is “still relevant” in an AFL competition that quickly searches for use-by dates on players in their 30s.
And Westhoff, 32, expects the Power to restate its relevance in next year’s AFL premiership race — his 13th in the big league.
Westhoff won the John Cahill Medal — outpolling by 17 votes defender Tom Jonas and vice-captain Ollie Wines on Friday night — to become the oldest player to win the title.
But after starting his AFL career with a grand final in his debut season in 2007, Westhoff wants his final resume to be crowned by more than an individual award. He wants next year’s premiership.
“We’re moving on to bigger and better things,” Westhoff said. “I have 12 years of motivation (to win the flag) going into next year. We’re in a good space where we can do it. It will be a hard slog, but the guys are up for the challenge. I won’t stop chasing that elusive premiership. We have the bones now to challenge for a premiership, we just need to be consistent — and honest.”
Westhoff, the No. 71 pick in the 2006 AFL national draft, paid tribute to his team-mates and family for helping his “journey through the highs and lows” in AFL football to reach a pinnacle at Alberton.
“It is not a premiership, but it’s the next best thing,” Westhoff said. “It is a feather in my cap in my career … The longer you are in the game, the harder it is. You still want to be relevant within your club and to contribute in a positive way.
“I feel I have done that this year. To be contributing at this age is amazing. And hopefully I can do the same thing (next year) and win the ultimate. I’d trade this (best-and-fairest) for a premiership in a second.”
Westhoff, who has played 123 consecutive AFL games, notes his “swingman” role of playing every position from one goalsquare to the other in a match has kept his mind fresh. But will his body hold up to such demands at 32?
“I think I can,” Westhoff said. “It is a fine balance. I’m feeling pretty good.
“I’m still happy to be out there — and mentally I feel pretty fresh. And the club is a pretty positive place to be too.
“Who knows how long (the career goes on),” added the 248-game Westhoff. “I’d be silly to put a number on anything, although I am going for Kane Cornes’ record of games (300). I’m still happy to be around and be involved with such a good group.”
michelangelo.rucci@news.com.au