Power coach Ken Hinkley hails the selflessness and success of Justin Westhoff’s move into defence
Justin Westhoff kicked five goals in Round 1, was dropped in Round 13, and has now found a temporary home in defence. It’s why Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley wants everyone to become ‘Westys’ at Alberton.
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Port Adelaide wants to get its hands on the magic formula that was used to clone Justin Westhoff last week — albeit one that created only a miniature version of the Power veteran for a TV commercial.
Westhoff is one of five AFL players who has formed part of the NAB mini-legends series this season and he’s proving just as in-demand at Alberton after being sent into defence.
The 32-year-old reigning club champion started the season forward with five goals against Melbourne in Round 1 then worked up the ground. He was dropped for two games after Round 13 and returned for the Round 16 Showdown where he ran back with the flight of the ball and stopped an Adelaide goal in the third quarter.
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Now he has spent the past three games playing permanently in Port Adelaide’s backline as the Power notches back-to-back wins to jump back into the top eight.
Westhoff played on GWS’s resting ruckman in Round 19 and as a versatile defender against Essendon last week and Sydney on Saturday when he lined up on Sam Reid, Isaac Heeney and Daniel Menzel.
“It’s been pretty successful I reckon, it’s hard to be anything but complimentary to him about what he’s been able to do,” coach Ken Hinkley said post-match on the weekend.
“He’s been thrown everywhere in my time at Port — literally everywhere — I think the only spot I haven’t thrown him is into the crowd but I’ve put him everywhere else.
“I’m sure he’d be just as happy in the crowd because he’d like to celebrate with the Port people out there today and have some fun with them.”
But Hinkley then turned serious about the role Westhoff was playing for the team in the twilight of his career.
“He’s the ultimate man, he’s what you want all those young players to become,” he said.
“We want them to become ‘Westys’ which is whatever the team needs they go and do and they accept that challenge really well.
“And to their credit that group of young people are learning from some good people.”
Power co-captain Tom Jonas told The Lowdown podcast Westhoff could now officially tick playing as a defender “off his bucket list”.
“He’s fit in well, he had a bit of a job on Reid and a couple of others on the weekend and he’s looked the part down there,” Jonas said.
“He’s out of contract and I’m sure there will be another one waiting for him whether it’s as a winger or a defender.”
reece.homfray@news.com.au