Port Adelaide are considering demoting Justin Westhoff to the SANFL to help the young forward regain some of the confidence he has plainly lost.

The Power's struggles to replicate their eye-catching form of last year can be seen in microcosm through Westhoff, who came from nowhere in mid-2007 to establish himself as one of the more exciting forward options to emerge at the Power.

His spindly frame did not prevent Westhoff from earning respect across the AFL for his poise, touch and considerable football smarts, and it was thought that with another pre-season under his belt the youngster would continue to flourish this year.

However Westhoff has been unable to reproduce anything like that form on a consistent basis so far, kicking only 8.11 in 12 games as opposed to 34.14 in 16 last year.

For a number of weeks Power coach Mark Williams has defended Westhoff's slim returns on the basis he is playing further up the ground this year and also averaging more possessions and marks than in 2007.

But the concession that Westhoff's goalkicking has deteriorated suggests the Power may finally opt to take him out of the spotlight, at least for the time being.

"That's a really difficult one, we've spent a long time talking about Westy (Westhoff)," Williams said.

"He does so many good things and his possessions and marking is right up there with last year, but his kicking for goal isn't, so that's the one area that is down.

"We've toyed with the fact do you drop him and let him have a few weeks with Centrals to get some real confidence back, or do we keep persisting with him because we know he's our future?

"We will do the best thing for him."

Williams has oscillated between blaming his squad's younger players, mid-tier group and leaders for Port's waning fortunes, but the truth is only a handful of Power players have improved in 2008.

Their next assignment is to confront a Richmond side that returned to the winner's list against Melbourne last Sunday, and Williams declared the fixture to be a "must-win" for the health of his club.

"We saw some little things on the weekend that we were quite satisfied with, now we're coming up to playing another home game and it's about time our club stood up and won at home," Williams said.

"We're calling on all our supporters to get there - this is a game we're putting on the map as a must-win.

"We've had a fantastic record at AAMI in the past, but this year it has certainly been disappointing."

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