JUSTIN Westhoff might just start the 2015 season as the game's most versatile player.

The 199cm forward is far from a stay-at-home attacking weapon; he loves to roam out of the forward 50 and up onto a wing.

His aerobic strength allows him to do so, as well as his superb reading of the game.

When the time calls for it Westhoff often drops deep into defence and he's equally capable of filling in for Matthew Lobbe in the ruck.

His presence last year was highlighted by his 182 marks – second in the AFL only to St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt. 

This pre-season Westhoff has started games alongside Lobbe in the centre square – as a midfielder – and vice captain Brad Ebert isn't overly surprised. 

He told AFL.com.au that while the 28-year-old would be used sparingly on the ball, he certainly had the assets to cause some damage. 

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"A lot of it's to do with his running power and his height – the combination means he's able to do the majority of roles…he even goes back from time to time," Ebert said.

"He's not an overly massive unit or anything but he moves really well; he's fast, he's fit, tall and skillful. 

"If he's in the game pretty heavily he can put himself in the middle for a bit or if he's struggling he can do that as well – it's just another string to his bow.

"He doesn't do it often but from time to time they might just try and mix it up a bit to get him in there. 

"With 'Westy' I think a lot of it is just playing the game and letting his natural flair come out but he does understand the game really well."

So how do you stop a 2m-tall midfielder?

Luckily for Power coach Ken Hinkley it's not a question he has to answer. 

The same principles would apply though in trying to minimise the impact of Fremantle's brigade of big-bodied midfielders, against whom Port will do battle next Sunday in round one.

Whereas the Dockers' three premier ball-winners in David Mundy, Nat Fyfe and Michael Barlow stand at 192cm, 190cm and 189cm, Port's Travis Boak, Ollie Wines and Robbie Gray stand at 183cm, 187cm and 183cm. 

Ebert said that when you couldn't match an opponent's height or strength, your positioning had to be perfect.

"It's tough, we'll be facing that in round one –your Mundys, your Fyfes – they're tall guys and they're also really strong," he said. 

"They're hard to move and I guess from there you just need to make sure that your body work's good and your positioning.

"Around stoppages you've also got to make sure that your timing's spot on."