Mary Fowler question leaves solo Nathan Cleary flustered

Nathan Cleary has gone solo at the GQ Awards and was left hot and bothered when asked the big question he knew was coming.

Nathan Cleary has flown solo at the GQ Awards in Sydney where he picked up sportsman of the year.

The 26-year-old Panthers star was among the glitz and glamour on the Bondi Pavilion red carpet when he was asked the question he knew was coming.

The NSW and Kangaroos halfback looked a bit lost in the headlights when asked about his blossoming romance with 20-year-old Matildas star Mary Fowler.

The World Cup hero and Cleary have become Australian sport’s golden couple after they confirmed their romance while sharing photos of them cuddled up together in Perth in October.

The young love has hit an early hurdle with Fowler returning to the UK to play for Manchester City while Cleary recently enjoyed an off-season trip to New York before getting back into pre-season training in Sydney.

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The much-celebrated romance has been making headlines for weeks and Cleary knew he was going to be asked about it when speaking to Confidential’s Jonathon Moran at the GQ Awards.

Kyah Simon with her partner Faye Bryson at the GQ Awards. Picture by Max Mason-Hubers.

Nathan Cleary attends the GQ Australia Men Of The Year Awards in association with BOSS. Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for GQ Australia.

When asked why he was flying solo, Cleary replied: “I’m just here by myself. No plus-one”.

When asked where Fowler was, the 26-year-old broke out into a giggle and looked to be more than a bit flustered.

“I knew this was coming,” he said with a grin.

“She’s busy.”

Rocking an all-black suit and shirt combination, Cleary held his own surrounded by the ritzy ensembles worn by others gracing the red carpet.

“I’m very grateful to be here. I’m a bit nervous actually. I’ve never really done anything like this,” he said.

“No sneakers. It’s a bit different for me, but I don’t mind dressing up every now and then.”

Fowler has been in Canada during the Matildas’ friendly series against the Olympic champions.

The Matildas were humbled on Wednesday when Canada completed a series rout with a 1-0 win in Vancouver.

Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary. Photo: GQ Awards and Instagram, Mary Fowler.

The Aussies have ended their year on a disappointing note, having also been thrashed 5-0 in their first match against Canada.

Cleary, meanwhile, has been left to deal with the mess teammate Brian To’o created for him when the star winger posted a cheeky engagement hint on an Instagram post shared by Cleary about his post-season travels.

Cleary has been living the life in the off-season, posting a series of Instagram photos while he attends events such as a wedding, the races, UFC and a helicopter tour of New York City.

The posts are titled “Offseason part 1” and “Part 2”.

Just want someone to look at me the way Nathan Cleary looks at Mary Fowler pic.twitter.com/OPoRNGDOX5

— Aidan Edgecomb (@AidanEdgecomb6) November 1, 2023

Alongside part one, To’o has the first comment, writing “My guy” with soccer ball and love heart emojis in a cheeky reference to Fowler.

On part two, To’o was again first cab off the rank, this time accompanying “My guy” with a soccer ball and diamond ring emojis.

Among the replies to the second comment are “haha stirring the pot” and “Nathan will get you when he gets home”.

As the rumours initially kicked off online, Cleary expressed his annoyance at the heavy interest into his personal life.

The murmurings about the pair first began when Fowler was spotted out and about enjoying a romantic moment with the NSW State of Origin playmaker in July.