Port Adelaide veteran Justin Westhoff has announced this season will be his last.
The 33-year old has played 280 AFL games for the Power over 14 seasons to rank second on the club's all-time games played list.
Westhoff was drafted by Port Adelaide with Pick 71 in the 2006 AFL Draft and won a best and fairest in 2018.
The utility announced the decision to his teammates on Thursday morning.
โIโm not getting any younger โ Iโm 33 going on 34 โ and it just seems to be the right time in my life to move on and try some new things,โ Westhoff told portadelaidefc.com.au.
โHaving a young family, I donโt want to miss much more of what my kids are doing, so it just felt like the right time.
โObviously, Iโm still looking forward to the rest of this season and hopefully some success at the end of it, but Iโm happy with what Iโve done so far and with this being my last year.
โTo still be around and to have experienced the things I have over the 14 years, itโs obviously going to be pretty tough to go, but itโs something Iโll look back on in years to come and Iโll be pretty proud of, and to share that with my family and friends is really important to me.
โIt goes quickly but thereโs no way I would have believed you if back when I was drafted you would have told me I would still be around now and had the friendships I have made, so I feel pretty privileged.โ
The last chapter is yet to be written, but Justin Westhoff has announced the 2020 season will be his last ๐ง
DETAILS ๐ฐ: https://t.co/YWpSPPjEUh#weareportadelaide pic.twitter.com/sY9m87Qyis
— Port Adelaide FC (@PAFC) September 17, 2020
Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley added: โJustin is a quiet and unassuming person who doesnโt say a lot, but every word he utters is important.
โHe has added value to our side with his ability to play a number of roles, and not once has he complained about being shifted week to week or even mid-game.
โWesty is everything you wish all players could be โ selfless, humble and reliable. Heโs a true team player.
โHe is so well respected and valued by his teammates and everyone associated with the club and itโs a mark of his selfless character that he has elected to make a call now on his future so as to avoid any distraction for the team during finals.โ
