CHARLEVILE’s original State of Origin hero Adrian Vowles is preparing for a long-awaited return to the UK.
Vowles, a star player in Super League in the late 1990s and early 2000s, departs for Manchester tomorrow for a nostalgic visit to Castleford.
The working-class town in West Yorkshire is where Vowles made a name for himself in Super League, winning the coveted Man of Steel award in 1999.
The Man of Steel is the UK’s version of the NRL’s Dally M Medal. Past recipients include three-time winner Ellery Hanley, Gavin Miller and Martin Offiah.
“I remember ringing mum and dad back in Charleville and telling them that I’d won it which was a very proud moment for them as well,” he recalled in our LOCAL NEWS today. “I’m held in high regard at Cas. I still communicate with all the fans on social media, so I keep in touch with them.”
Castleford host Sam Burgess-coached Warrington this weekend, with Cunnamulla-born Vowles coming along as special guest for the Tigers.
4RR-FM’s Jason Costigan will be calling the match, which you can hear LIVE and FREE on RugbyLeague.com from 11.55pm on Saturday.
Whilst in the Old Dart, Vowles will also spend time with former team-mates from Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity.
It will be his first visit to the UK’s Rugby League heartland, where he lived for a decade, in 14 years.
PHOTO: Charleville’s first-ever State of Origin hero Adrian Vowles.
POSTED: Tuesday, July 28, 2026