NRL 2024: Nathan Cleary turns to fury friends post-surgery after a whirlwind European rendezvous with Mary Fowler

Nathan Cleary is in for a three-month recovery from a shoulder reconstruction but some furry friends and down time with his girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler is helping the Penrith champion’s rehabilitation.

Penrith champion Nathan Cleary has turned to some furry friends to help him get through a three-month recovery after shoulder surgery earlier this month.

A relaxed looking Cleary, wearing a sling, took to social media to share his recovery posting a photo laying on the couch with three pups including his own, a Groodle named ‘Prince’.

“The boys making recovery easier,” Cleary said in references to the Cleary family pets.

Cleary went under the knife last week to repair the shoulder injury he carried through the finals series, after having spent three weeks in Europe visiting girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler.

The sporting power couple just have marked their one year anniversary since going public with their relationship late last year and have been sharing heartwarming moments of their recent holiday together on social media.

Nathan Cleary during his recovery after shoulder surgery.

Cleary shared the latest highlights of his time in Spain with Fowler during the whirlwind trip.

As well as cycling through Barcelona and stopping to take in the sights, Cleary also enjoyed some local seafood, including oysters.

The Panthers halfback revealed to this masthead in 2021 that he had turned to the molluscs as an unorthodox remedy to help aid in his recovery from a similar shoulder injury he had suffered during State of Origin that year.

Nathan Cleary enjoying some Spanish oysters.

Cleary also swapped the two wheels in Barcelona for the horse power of a sports car, sharing a photo behind the wheel of a Mercedes with the top down.

As well as hiking the Swiss Alps with Fowler, the athletic couple enjoyed some down time exploring their artistic side painting portraits of each other.

Nathan Cleary's portrait of girlfriend Mary Fowler.

Nathan Cleary cruising through Europe in a sports car.

“Mems (memories) for a lifetime … that last slide tho,” Fowler responded to Cleary’s post of his painting of the Manchester City striker.

The 26-year-old also took some time out of his rendezvous with Fowler to experience Barcelona’s night-life with friends.

Nathan Cleary with teammate Mitch Kenny and former Panthers teammate best friend Tyrone May.

Cleary shared a photo enjoying a night out with teammate Mitch Kenny and former Panthers teammates and best mate Tyrone May at Shoko, one of Barcelona’s most famous beach front nightclubs.

The four-time premiership winner is expected to be in a sling for at least another two weeks before he begins physical rehab on his shoulder.

He’ll spend December strengthening his left shoulder and is expected back on the training paddock in the new year before returning to full contact sessions in February.

Panthers medical staff are confident Cleary will be fit enough to take the field at Allegiant Stadium for Penrith’s season opener in Las Vegas on March 1.