3 minute read

Port Adelaide veteran Justin Westhoff says his AFL club has not had enough spark from youngsters in recent seasons.

Milestone man Justin Westhoff has credited Port Adelaide's first-year players with setting the tone for their AFL season, having begun with a bang in round one.

Westhoff kicked five goals in Port's boilover win at the MCG over Melbourne, a 26-point defeat that suggests the Power could be a big improver this season.

He'll become just the third man to reach 250 games for the club, after Kane Cornes and Warren Tredrea, on Saturday against Carlton.

The 32-year-old is entering his 13th AFL campaign but is full of enthusiasm for the year ahead after their day out at the MCG.

"You build round one up so much and to have six guys playing their first game, and in Robbie Gray's 200th, it's so good to do it for them and start the year off on that kind of note," he told AAP.

"Melbourne are one of the red hot favourites this year and to win over here, round one, is big for us."

Central to Westhoff's belief is Port's class of 2019 - all of which played a role in the defeat of the Dees.

Willem Drew, one of four debutants, had 10 contested possessions among 21 touches. Xavier Duursma had 16 disposals and a goal, while fellow teenager Connor Rozee had five marks and tackles with 18 possessions.

Zak Butters also kicked back to back second-quarter goals.

"Our first year guys want to get in there and win games of footy and do the right thing for the team," Westhoff said.

"We haven't had that over the last couple of years, guys cracking in and doing whatever it takes.

"We've got belief in where we're going and what we need to do to play consistent footy."

There was more than a whiff of the 2016 Western Bulldogs' spirit among Port's round-one triumph.

While the unlikely flag success was underpinned by star youngsters, the performances of the wise old heads like Westhoff were equally crucial.

Coach Ken Hinkley said his key tall was getting better with age "like red wine", managing a bag of five goals in his last two outings.

After seeing long-time teammate Gray sing the song at the end of his 200th, Westhoff said he'd like nothing more than to do the same with family and friends at Adelaide Oval.

"It's nice to get on the end of a few. To see Robbie get chaired off after a win like that, hopefully we can go again next week and do the same," he said.