Verdun J Howell
A great full-back whose dashing attacking style was ahead of its time.
1958-68 159 games 55 goals. (b: 16 Jun 1936 178 cms 77.5 kgs). A great full-back whose dashing attacking style was ahead of its time. St Kilda signed him at 17 but he refused to leave Tasmania for two years then a clearance wrangle delayed his start in 1958. He had been mainly a half forward in Tasmania but had shown promise as a half-back in 1957 and coach Allan Killigrew decided to use him in the problem spot at full-back when he finally won a clearance late in 1958. He only played six games that year but in 1959 he was an instant star and made the state side for the first of many times. In that momentous season he grabbed the headlines when he went absent without leave from the army to play for St Kilda against Fitzroy. He was a glorious kick but it was his marking that provided many highlights captured by photographers. At the end of the 1959 Brownlow Medal count he was tied with Bob Skilton on 20 votes and the Swan star won on a countback. It was part of St Kilda folklore that he may have won outright if he had not been played in the centre in the final game. Thirty years later the VFL awarded him a retrospective medal. He reigned supreme as the state's number one full-back until 1965 when selectors swapped him with full-forward Bob Murray. His natural skill meant that he made a good fist of the new job and he kicked nine goals in a game against Hawthorn in 1965. Vice-captain to Darrel Baldock for six seasons he almost missed his dream of a St Kilda flag when his jaw was broken before the finals but when the club won the flag he was there on a half back flank. He won the club best and fairest in 1959. He later coached Richmond reserves and in WA.
Player profile © The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers by Russell Holmesby and Jim Main
Verdun Howell
Geoff Dowling
Saints Hall of Fame memorable moments
I have Verdun Howell to thank for his role in my decision to become a St Kilda supporter. In 1960 (age 10) most of my mates supported a VFL team as well as their chosen SANFL team. Eager to have a VFL team to support I headed to the school library and came across a book containing a photo of Verdun taking a spectacular mark. The Saints guernsey won me over, and I've stayed loyal since.
Regretfully I didn't see Verdun play, but regularly replay the 1966 Grand Final and take great delight in watching Verdun gather 10 kicks and 2 marks. What Saints fan wouldn't delight in watching him execute those accurate drop kicks?
Thank you Verdun, that retrospective Brownlow Medal delighted me as I'm sure it did to all who watched you play.
Geoff Dowling
Adelaide SA
Send in your story or tribute now by sending an email to halloffame@saints.com.au
