YOU would think that after 12 seasons of AFL football, little would surprise you.

But that’s not the case for Port Adelaide’s ever-reliable utility Justin Westhoff, who admits he only finds out where he’ll line up each week at the last minute.

The 32-year-old, who is the oldest player on the Power’s list, has booted 291 goals in his 248 games but his strong running capacity and agility has seen him shift from forward mainstay to a range of roles across the field.

Westhoff spent much of 2018 alternating between forward and wing with stints in defence and even the ruck.

Asked during a radio interview on Thursday on Melbourne radio station SEN about his best role, the veteran didn’t have a clear answer.

“It’s probably ever evolving over the last couple of years,” Westhoff said.

“I don’t know leading into games the positions I’ll be playing in games so it makes it a bit hard to put your finger on what I’m going to be doing, which I think has been a huge benefit to me as a player and staying involved in the game.

“Going into AFL, you kind of pigeon-hole yourself into playing in one position.

“I’m lucky enough to play a few so it’s kind of nice to be trusted by your teammates and coaching staff to do that.”

Coming off the back of a career-best year in which he won his first John Cahill Medal as the club’s best and fairest player, Westhoff admitted being kept on his toes has kept him interested in the game and more able to have an impact.

Far from feeling stale, Westhoff said he was excited and refreshed with new AFL rules to adapt to in 2019 and a number of new coaches and teammates to work with at the Power.

“There’s a good feeling around the club and obviously there’s always a good feeling around this time of year but we’re just looking forward to putting it all into practice in the next couple of weeks,” he said.

“There seems to be a stronger connection with the team so we’re looking forward to building on that.

“Obviously winning helps that as well so we’ll be pushing really hard to build that momentum in the next couple of weeks going into the first couple of weeks of the season.”

And instead of slowing down, Westhoff is predicting the inclusion of West Coast premiership ruckman Scott Lycett will free him up to be more influential in games.

Lycett is expected to work in tandem with 2017 All-Australian big man Paddy Ryder, rotating between the ruck and forward line.

“That’s pretty exciting for me to not be jumping in there and to have two quality ruckmen who can dominate in the ruck,” Westhoff said.

“But I think the real positive for us is that both those guys can go forward and have a big say in that.

“Paddy has been screaming out for a quality second ruckman so he’d got that in a Premiership ruckman who will straighten us up a bit.

“I’m just looking forward to that dynamic between those two guys can work together and hopefully they can win us a few matches.”