The snowy-haired full-back was a footballer ahead of his time in an era where full-backs were usually bulky types who concentrated on body work and spoiling. He was a dasher who could outmark the tallest full-forwards then zoom away once he hit the ground and launch attacks. In just his second year he shared top place in the 1959 Brownlow voting with Bob Skilton, but was denied a medal because of the countback system in place at the time. The injustice was rectified with a retrospective medal 30 years later.

Later in his career Howell was shifted to full-forward and kicked nine goals there in his second game. It meant that Bob Murray could be developed as a full-back and St Kilda could afford the luxury of playing Howell, the state fullback for seven seasons in a row, at the opposite end of the ground.

In 1966, he suffered a broken jaw on the eve of the finals, but there was no way he was going to miss out on a famous moment. He was vice-captain on the club's greatest day and as ever, made a valuable contribution - this time as a half-back.