Nathan Cleary responds to Mary Fowler rumour in surprise TV appearance
Nathan Cleary has shocked fans with a surprise TV appearance as cameras captured a special moment with Mary Fowler.
NRL
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Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler have shocked fans with a surprise TV appearance at the Super League grand final on Sunday morning.
The Panthers halfback and Matildas star were seen in the stands at the iconic Old Trafford stadium in Manchester as Wigan completed a season quadruple with a win over Hull KR.
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Cleary made a dash to the UK to spend time with his partner after the Panthers’ historic fourth consecutive grand final win.
Fowler was in action with Manchester City during their massive 2-0 Champions League win over Barcelona on Thursday.
She was given at least one night off to be with Cleary and they looked to be enjoying themselves when TV cameras found them in the crowd.
Cleary’s most surprising, rare move was to feature in an on-field, half time interview with Sky Sports when he wasn’t obliged to.
He graciously answered questions about his future plans — coming after rumours recently swirled that he was considering spending time away from the NRL to be with Fowler in the UK.
His comments on Sunday show Panthers fans don’t have anything to be worried about — for now at least.
Sky Sports presenter Jenna Brooks asked Cleary: “There’s been these persistent rumours and they’re just not going away that perhaps we might see you playing in Super League in the not too distant future given that Mary Fowler, you’re beautiful girlfriend is playing over here for Manchester City. So when can we see you in Super League — maybe Hull KR?”
The NSW State of Origin playmaker responded with a grin: “Not any time soon, to be honest.”
“I’ve seen all the rumours. But get to come over here and see her (Mary) play, which is nice and have a break. But won’t be moving over here anytime soon.”
He went on to say: “It’s great to be here, it’s a great atmosphere and a pretty good first-half”.
Cleary was wearing a Hull KR jersey and was cheering on former teammate and close friend Tyrone May.
Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher and Cleary’s agent George Mimis have both insisted Cleary has never spoken to them of interest in playing in the Super League. He remains contracted with Penrith through to the end of the 2027 season.
It was Cleary himself who first planted the idea of him moving to play in the Super League.
Speaking to UK journalists ahead of Penrith’s World Club Challenge in February, Cleary said: “I’m not against it [a Super League move]. I have a pretty open mind to that kind of stuff.
I think just being able to experience different cultures and different experiences is something I enjoy doing. I’m not closed off to that idea.”
He said at the time a UK sea change was appealing for many reasons, having enjoyed his time based in Manchester during the Kangaroos’ 2021 World Cup campaign.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are trying to achieve the reverse and bring Fowler back to Australia.
Penrith chief executive Brian Fletcher raised eyebrows this week with comments about Fowler that have widely been interpreted to be tongue-in-cheek.
“Last year on radio I said if we win in ‘23, we’ll definitely win in ‘24 and ‘25,” Fletcher told the crowd at the club’s official fan day after the grand final.
“So don’t be afraid of next year.
“We’ve also got ‘26 and ‘27 to go.
“And why I say that is, Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary are signed until the end of ‘27.
“It’s my job and the CEO of football, Matt Cameron, to extend that as far as we can.
“Matt’s job also is he’s got to bring Mary back to Australia.”
Fowler’s City side will next face Liverpool at Anfield on Monday morning. It seems highly likely her partner will be watching on. He is only expected to return to Australia to undergo shoulder surgery in a “couple weeks” — his father Ivan Cleary said last week.
Now that Cleary and Fowler’s once-secretive relationship is well and truly out in the open, the pair are relishing some playful moments on social media.
In her latest post on Instagram to her 436,000 followers, Fowler posted photos of her goalscoring effort in a 2-0 league win over West Ham, which came on the same day the Panthers beat the Storm.
“A good weekend indeed,” Fowler caption the post, which was capped by a pic of a beaming Fowler wearing a Panthers shirt in the City dressing room.
She also captioned an Instagram story featuring Cleary with the Provan-Summons Trophy “Him”, along with love heart eyes and fire emojis.
Fowler and Cleary, 26, went public with their relationship in April but have been seeing each other since November last year.
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