Normally you've got 2-3 of McGinnity/Butler/Swift/Shepheard playing - he'd be ahead of them & pretty close to A Selwood IMHO.
Yeah, they've all got different roles so there'd be some adjustments/swapping required, but the crux of it is Howlett has improved into a very good footballer in his own right this year.
Wins plenty of clearances, tackles like mad, and helps out on the run & carry side of things too.
Of course, "herp derp rookie = spud" is alive & well.
Howlett isn't far superior to Butler/Selwood. I wouldn't imagine WC recruiting a player is on par/slightly ahead. Draft picks would be more sought after.
That said... I don't rate Stevens. He was supposed to be dominating the track over pre-season and made no impact at all.






