The writing for the Bobcat has been on the wall for most of this past season. As others have already noted, he was a passionate and loyal servant of the club, but has been found wanting this season by the faster pace of the game. Not flashy, tough as all hell, but always put the team first, and played his role.
Well done Mr. Howlett, you leave with our thanks and much respect. Cheers for the future.
So that leaves 6 of the 2012 players still in the Red and Black (Heppell, Hooker, Hurley, Myers, Colyer and T Bell). Two at Melbourne, one at the Saints and one at Port. Assuming Crameri gets his contract renewed or picked up as a DFA that is 11 left.
That obviously doesn’t include Zacka who was not banned.
Makes no fkg sense retaining J Merrett if he never plays. Has played 11 games in 2 years, 54 in 6 seasons (averaging 9 games a year) & one of those years half our players were suspended. Unfortunately J Merrett is dead wood & despite his unfortunate late break must also be cut loose.
Sad to see Howlett go though, always gave 100%. Probably a good sign for the strength of our list if players such as Howlett & Bird are deemed surplus to requirements.
Gave his all everytime he played. One of the best tacklers in the team. Was a midfielder, yet the coaches kept on playing him up forward where it just didn’t suit him
The right call by the club in the end. All the best Benny. Would love to see him stay around playing in the VFL for us
Good luck Benny and thanks.
Sorry we stuffed you around.
I hate it when highly regarded and respected players get delisted.
I wonder how I’ll feel when Stringer gets the chop!
Thanks BobCat really appreciate what you brought to the club.
I paid tribute to Heater with the 2011 round 15 win against the previously undefeated Geelong. Heater was only half of the story of that match. Watson out injured, wheels fallen off on our season, but where Heater played in the guts and got 25 possessions, so did Benny and got 27 possessions, including 13 contested, 9 tackles and a goal. Chris Scott admitted he had been surprised by the intensity with which we played, and Benny was a big part of that story as was Heater.
Echo all the sentiments on here. Hard at it, eye for a goal, unquestionable commitment. I personally would have kept him, because we don’t have anyone else really like him - that bullockibg type with mongrel. His last game was v Carlton and while he didn’t get a heap of it, he kicked probably THE goal that turned it around for us to win a game we didn’t deserve to win. That got us into the 8! Thanks benny!