Nathan Cleary reveals difficulty of Mary Fowler relationship

Nathan Cleary has lifted the lid on his blossoming romance with Mary Fowler while admitting the biggest difficulty of the relationship.

Penrith star Nathan Cleary has opened up on the hardship related to his relationship with Matildas icon Mary Fowler.

Cleary, 27, and Fowler, 21, have been an item since November last year, but have spent a large portion of their romance living on separate continents.

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The Panthers halfback says the long-distance nature of the relationship has been a challenge, but the pair have made it work.

“It’s been tough, it’s definitely not something that I ever thought I’d do. I think it sort of helped for us that as soon as we met each other, and we sort of got talking, we knew it was going to lead down to that path and if we wanted to do it, it was going to be long distance,” Cleary said on the Keegan and Company podcast.

While they deal with the challenge of living apart, Cleary revealed he has thought about the future and starting a family with the Manchester City star.

“It’s obviously tough that we are both pretty stuck into our sport … definitely want to in the future. I’d love for it to be with Mary. I just think she’d be the best mother, but yeah, we’ll see.

“It’s not a rush at the moment but definitely in the future … post footy, I would love to have a little family of my own.”

Cleary wants to start a family with Fowler. Picture Instagram

The loved up couple have grown stronger because of the distance.

Cleary and Fowler enjoyed a European holiday together after the 27-year-old helped lead the Panthers to a fourth-straight NRL crown.

The Panthers star was given permission to delay shoulder surgery in order to spend time away with Fowler overseas.

He and Fowler have made good use of the little time available and melted hearts with a series of Instagram uploads.

After their holiday, Cleary has returned home and undergone surgery while Fowler has returned to Manchester City with the new Super League season underway.

Cleary said one of the hardest parts of not having Fowler nearby would hit at the end of a day when he’d walk in the door.

But Cleary said the nature of the relationship meant that when they were together, the time they got was even sweeter.

“Sometimes you just get home and you want a little cuddle but I think it’s helped us in a way to connect on more than just (on) a physical level and actually have genuine conversations,” he said.

“We just navigate around it and when we do see each other, it’s the best thing ever. You are really grateful for those moments we get to spend together. We’re constantly talking on FaceTime or whatever and we sort of find our way through that.

“Constant communication is what works for us, we make a real emphasis on that. I think just compromise as well, you are not always going to love the same things I don’t think.

“The thing I’ve noticed about having a partner is I just want to make her happy and I want to her feel safe and feel like I’m there for her.”

Cleary says the long-distance can be a challenge. Picture Instagram @maryfowlerrr

But they’re both heavily invested in the relationship. Picture Instagram @_nathancleary

Cleary said a big strength of their relationship comes from the fact they both spend their time in high pressure environments and understand each other’s worlds.

“It is and she definitely understands … people look at us and think that we are talking about our sport all the time but sometimes it’s just nice to just sit there as two human beings and enjoy each other’s company and talk about something other than sport,” he said.

“I think probably for both of us, a lot of people want to talk about sport all the time and I think when we’re together, we just enjoy each other’s company but it’s always that support and trust that if something is going wrong we can talk to each other about it and sort of bounce ideas off each other. It’s been really nice.”

The duo melt hearts with their Insta activity. Picture Instagram @_nathancleary

They make the most of the time they have together. Picture Instagram @_nathancleary

In a heartwarming moment, podcast host Keegan Hipgrave played a recorded message from Fowler where the star player asked Cleary what his perfect day would be.

“It’s a good question, she’s a deep thinker, Mazy,” Cleary said.

“A perfect day for me would be having a nice sleep, so I’m nice and refreshed. Getting up in the morning, taking a walk down to the beach with Mazy and my dog Prince.

“Just being able to sit there. There doesn’t have to be too much conversation, just enjoying each other’s company. Maybe writing down a journal and reading a bit of a book. Then I think it would be going for brekkie, somewhere on the beach.”

The duo have quickly become Australia’s sporting power couple.

Rumours of Cleary moving to the UK have been persistent.

As the relationship between the pair goes from strength to strength, rumours have only continued to intensify of one party shifting closer to the other.

Panthers boss Brian Fletcher even cheekily suggested the club needed to “bring Mary back” to Australia, likely in response to speculation Cleary was considering moving to the UK’s Super League.

However, Cleary poured cold water on that when he was interviewed at Wigan’s Super League grand final win over Hull KR.

“Not anytime soon, to be honest,” Cleary said.

“I see all the rumours. I get to come over here and see her (Fowler) play which is nice and to have a break, but I won’t be moving over here anytime soon.”

The couple went public with their relationship in April, but have since admitted they began seeing each other in November, 2023.

Cleary focus will now be his ongoing rehab program as he pushes to be fit in time for the Panthers’ season opener in Las Vegas in March.