Ben Howlett Biography

Essendon delists Ben Howlett.

After returning from a year-long suspension related to the club's supplements scandal, Howlett was unable to have an impact in 2017 under coach John Worsfold, playing more matches in the VFL (10) than the AFL (seven).

"The modern game is relentless and to start as a rookie and go onto play more than 100 games is an outstanding effort, and Ben leaves having made a huge contribution to the Essendon Football Club," Worsfold said.

Daniel Menzel heads a list of six players overlooked in this year's free agency period.

Menzel did not receive an offer from a rival team by Sunday's 5pm deadline, while fellow free agents Nick Suban (Fremantle), Ben Howlett (Essendon), Simon White (Carlton), Ben Sinclair (Collingwood) and Claye Beams (Brisbane Lions) were all left in limbo too.

Ben Howlett has become the ninth banned Bomber to commit to returning to Essendon next year after agreeing to a one-year contract extension.

The 27-year-old had been assessing his options for 2017 after being offered a one-year deal by the club earlier this year which contained a trigger clause to go on in the 2018 season.

It is understood the West Australian had some rival interest to consider, but he has chosen to stick with the Bombers.

"From what I've witnessed and my discussions with 'Woosha' it's evident the team and club is forging something really exciting, and I’m extremely motivated to be a part of this," Howlett said.

"With my first child on the way I took the necessary time to determine what was best for my career and my family. In the end it was my strong bond with my teammates that made the decision easy."

Suspended Essendon pair Michael Hibberd and Ben Howlett will wait until later in the year before deciding whether they want to return to the club next season as they mull over their options.

Essendon's worst fears have been realised with the Court of Arbitration for Sport finding 34 past and present players guilty of taking banned substance Thymosin Beta-4 and suspending them for the entire 2016 season.

Twelve players still on the Bombers' list and five now at other AFL clubs who took part in Essendon's 2012 supplements program have been hit with two-year bans beginning on March 31 last year.

However, most of the suspensions will come to an end on November 13 this year, taking into account provisional suspensions already served.

Bombers skipper Jobe Watson, vice-captain Dyson Heppell, reigning club champion Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley, Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Travis Colyer, Michael Hibberd, Ben Howlett, David Myers, Brent Stanton and Tayte Pears will all miss the Bombers' 2016 campaign.

The guilty decision impacts four other AFL clubs with former Essendon players on their lists, with Jake Carlisle (St Kilda), Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs), Jake Melksham (Melbourne), Angus Monfries and Patrick Ryder (Port Adelaide) to be sidelined for the season.

Former Essendon players Mark McVeigh and Brent Prismall are set to be suspended from their respective roles at Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs until November 13 as support staff are banned from any WADA-complaint sports under the sanctions.

McVeigh is an assistant coach at the Giants, while Prismall is a player wellbeing and welfare manager with the Bulldogs.

Essendon champion and former club coach James Hird slammed the guilty verdict and suspensions.

"I am shocked by this decision," Hird said in a statement.

"I firmly believe the players do not deserve this finding.

"They do not deserve to face a twelve-month suspension from the sport. This is a miscarriage of justice for 34 young men."

Ben Howlett says James Hird being chosen as coach of Essendon was a major factor in his decision to remain at the Bombers after coming out of contract last year.

"I was a bit uncertain for a while, more just around where the club was heading at that stage. I was a bit unsure who the coach was going to be and unsure about things around the club," Howlett said.

"I had a good one-on-one chat to Hirdy and said 'Look, I want to know you're going to be the coach for the whole year'. I know he believes in me, and I play my best footy under Hirdy."

Essendon coach James Hird says Essendon's retention of players like Jason Winderlich and Ben Howlett shows the Bombers are not the undesirable club they've been made out to be.

"The competition is at a point where players have a lot of power and they're entitled to leave, or retire," Hird said.

"And certainly Jason and Ben looked at their options and preferred to stay at Essendon, which is a great sign that the Essendon Football Club is still a club players want to play at.

Ben Howlett commits to Essendon for a further two years.

"We have a really strong, close knit playing list at Essendon and we have the belief that we can play some incredibly exciting football. I love my teammates and I was keen to play under James Hird so that really motivated me to re-sign," Howlett said.

"Now, with my contract out of the way, I'm looking forward to focusing on football and getting back into training with the boys during the pre-season. I think we're all excited to work really hard over the summer."

Ben Howlett could leave Essendon if coach James Hird is sacked, according to the midfielder's manager Jason Dover.

"It's not that Ben wasn't happy playing under Bomber (Thompson), it's more a case of trying to understand exactly where Essendon were going and who is going to be the coach," Dover said.

"Certainly if that is James Hird, then Ben's supportive of that and very much willing to consider signing now."

Essendon has lost midfielders Ben Howlett and Jason Winderlich to hamstring injuries for three and four matches respectively.

Essendon midfielder Ben Howlett says the Bombers' strong pre-season form has come after a summer of hard work on defensive pressure.

"I want to push up and play that midfield role and work harder in games," Howlett said.

"I want to make myself an elite player and get up to the likes of Mark McVeigh and Brent Stanton. I look up to those guys and if I can get to their stage I'll be very happy."

Ben Howlett makes his AFL debut for Essendon at the MCG with 16 disposals (14 kicks and 2 handballs), 3 marks, 3 tackles and a goal in a 31-point loss to Geelong.

Essendon's Ben Howlett will make his AFL debut against reigning premier Geelong at the MCG on Friday night.

"Ben Howlett will play his first game, which is a great story considering what will happen in the next few years with Gold Coast and Western Sydney coming in," Bombers assistant coach Scott Camporeale said.

"The 21 to 22 year-olds that have missed out in previous drafts are going to get looked at."