But Bombers teammate Jason Winderlich is pretty sure Howlett's superb banana goal from deep on the boundary brushed the woodwork on its way through.
Howlett's fourth-quarter goal against Adelaide on Saturday night came at a critical time in the match, with the Bombers extending their lead from nine to 15 points.
Despite doubts over the legitimacy of the goal no score review was called.
The AFL confirmed after the game the third umpire was confident, on viewing multiple replays, the ball avoided making contact with the post and there was no need to call for an official score review.
"I'm not sure whether it went through or not," Howlett told AFL.com.au.
"Everyone celebrated, so I had to celebrate too.
"To me it looked like it went through. It felt really good off the boot."
But Winderlich, who was standing five metres away from Howlett, was convinced the ball shaved the post on its way through.
"I'm pretty sure it touched the post, but it might have been goal of the year," he told 3AW after the game.
Regardless, Howlett's kick was a pearler.
The Bombers midfielder freed himself from congestion, broke a tackle from Crow Scott Thompson while pinned up against the boundary, balanced and then managed to curl the ball home from the tightest of angles.
"I'd say it's one of my best goals, definitely," Howlett said.
Howlett's highlight paved the way for a resolute nine-point Bombers win.
With captain Jobe Watson sidelined following hip surgery, Howlett said it was imperative for the other Bombers midfielders to pick up the slack and provide the kind of on-field leadership that was missing in the club's one-point loss to Melbourne last week.
"We had a few hard truths during the week and we gave each other some pretty honest feedback," he said.
"I thought our guys really responded. We're starting to carry the load in the midfield now and the feedback we gave was to really give that on-field talk."Twitter: @AFL_BenGuthrie
