After playing 20 senior games in two seasons Howat was de-listed by the Tigers on 31 October 2007. However he was reselected that same year at the 2007 AFL Rookie Draft at pick 47. He did show some promise when in the senior team, his silky skills and dashing run from defence being a treat to watch.
He played one more game in 2008 in which he was suspended for striking. He was finally delisted from the Richmond Rookie list at the end of the 2008 season.