Mary Fowler on the cover of Marie Claire’s 2023 Women of the Year issue

Australia’s sweetheart has claimed the cover of Marie Claire Australia’s 2023 Women of the Year issue and has opened up on a year where Fowler fever swept the nation.

Mary Fowler is on the cover of Marie Claire’s 2023 Women of the Year edition. Photo: Candice Lake

There’s something about Mary – and Sam and Hayley. Caitlin, Steph and Cortnee. Ellie, Mackenzie and the rest of the team.

Footballer Mary Fowler claimed the cover of Marie Claire Australia’s 2023 Women of the Year issue, representing the Matildas who received the Champions of the Year award on Tuesday night. Captain Sam Kerr was also named Icon of the year.

Fowler and Kerr were unable to receive the awards in person at the red carpet event held at the Museum of Contemporary Art, which was attended by more than 150 winners, nominees, identities, and media. However, Matildas Kyah Simon, Lydia Williams and Charli Grant were present.

Speaking to the magazine though, Fowler said she still “gets goosebumps just thinking about” the heart-stopping penalty shootout against France that sent the Tillies to the World Cup semi-finals, and to global stardom.

Mary Fowler on the cover of Marie Claire’s 2023 Women of the Year edition. Photo: Candice Lake

“When I think about it now, it feels like a dream. That moment was such an adrenaline rush,” Fowler said.

The 20-year-old flew back to England last week, where she plays for Manchester City in the Barclay’s Women’s Super League.

Her team has at least 21 fixtures between now and when their season finishes on May 18, which leaves small windows of time for Fowler to see her rumoured boyfriend and three-time NRL champion Nathan Cleary when their sporting schedules align.

The budding romance between the pair has captured the heart of Australia, with the Penrith captain cheering on the Matildas in their Olympic qualifying match in Perth last month.

The high profile duo seemingly soft-launched their ‘hottest sporting couple’ status, after months of public speculation about their outings together.

The nation has fallen in love with Mary Fowler. Photo: Candice Lake

Cleary has been partying up a storm in New York City since then, and while Fowler is keeping mum on the union, one love she will speak on is growing women’s sport.

“It’s hard to put into words the legacy we’ve left behind,” she said.

“I think it’s really special that we can get recognised as a team for the work we did and the journey we’ve had together.”

While Australia ultimately finished a very respectable fourth in the Women’s World Cup, the impact has been epic.

Local clubs, such as Marrickville Football Club, have seen female participation jump from 26 to 40 per cent since August.

“It’s amazing already to see the growth there’s been,” Fowler said.

“I’ve come in at the perfect time when there’s so much opportunity. My hope for the future, for a lot of young girls starting out now, is for them to have as much opportunity as I’ve had, or even more. That’s what we’ve all worked towards and what so many female footballers before me have worked so hard for.”

Marie Claire’s Women of The Year issue is out Thursday, November 23.

Maria’s voice inspires in massive year

Former Miss Universe turned author and multi-hyphenate media personality Maria Thattil is the Voice of Now.

The Women of the Year Award, which Thattil received jointly with sexual consent activist Chanel Contos on Tuesday, is the culmination of “a really massive year, professionally and personally”.

The 30-year-old activist published her autobiography, did TED Talk and a national speaking tour, launched her own podcast, was a World Pride ambassador and guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under, and made her acting debut.

“On top of that I was so grateful to buy and renovate my house,” Melbourne-based Thattil told Confidential.

“This was my year to put myself out there and try lots of different things.”

Maria Thattil at the Marie Claire Women of the Year Awards. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Thattil has been an outspoken and fierce advocate for Australian women of colour, first generation Australians born to immigrant parents and for the LGBTQ community since she won Miss Universe Australia three years ago.

“I never used to believe that what I had to say mattered. What I’ve learned is we don’t have enough people with diverse lived experiences sharing their stories,” she said.

Thattil was cheered on by her partner Moana Hope, a former professional AFL player and internet personality, as the happy couple made their red carpet debut together at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art.

“I think she is the most inspiring, hardworking, deserving human,” Thattil said of her partner. “She’s a good woman to her core and such a boss in her own way. Being with her pushes me, someone who is already type A and ambitious, to be so much better. It’s wonderful when you meet someone who inspires you. To get to share the Women of the Year Awards with the woman I love is very special.”

Maria Thattil and her girlfriend Moana Hope. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Rebecca Vallance took home an award. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Thattil and Hope went public with their romance several months ago, after they connected in professional circles earlier this year.

Other award winners included The Matildas, Sam Kerr, Kylie Minogue, Professor Megan Davis, disability advocate Hannah Diviney, designer Rebecca Vallance, Tina Turner Musical star Ruva Nygwenga, Amy Manford and Jess Hill.