The big problem with Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler’s romance: Why the loved-up stars could struggle to keep their relationship going

Nathan Cleary was at HBF Park in Perth on Wednesday night to cheer on his girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler against China Taipei – and it could be one of the last chances the couple have to see each other for the next six months.

Australian sport’s hottest romance went public on Wednesday when Fowler and a shirtless Cleary shared some tender moments in a Perth park.

Just a day after Ny Breaking Australia exclusively revealed photos of the NRL superstar and his football talent girlfriend spending time together before the Matildas Olympic Games qualifier, they took it a step further as they cuddled and held hands.

The nation has been obsessed with the couple since dating rumors first surfaced in August, but their busy performance schedules will mean they will now have to negotiate a long-distance relationship for the next six months.

Fowler, who plays for Manchester City in England’s Barclay’s Women’s Super League, will fly back to Britain on Thursday to prepare for Sunday’s match against Arsenal.

Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler may only see each other once in the next six months due to the 17,000km distance between their homes

The loved-up couple have busy schedules with their respective clubs, but they will have a great opportunity to reunite before the end of the year

Manchester City still have at least 21 games to play between now and May 18, when the season ends.

Cleary is expected to attend training for the Panthers on November 22 before their season kicks off in the first week of March, although the injury he suffered in the grand final could delay his return.

The loved-up couple are given a brief window to see each other over the Christmas period, with Fowler’s season paused for a month and Cleary given a two-week break.

Fowler is expected to fly to Australia as she is booked for a Matildas fan event at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium on December 21.

Sadly, the pair won’t be able to catch up in February when Penrith travel to Britain to play Wigan in the World Club Challenge – as Fowler will be in Australia with the Matildas for Olympic qualifiers.

The Manchester City star and NRL premiership winner have been romantically linked since they were spotted together twice following the Matildas’ World Cup campaign.

They first attracted attention as a potential couple when they were spotted together on a leisurely walk along the Nepean River in Penrith in Sydney’s west.

Fowler flies back to Britain on Thursday to play for Manchester City – and she won’t be back in Australia until December

The couple will have two weeks to see each other over the Christmas period, with the Matildas star due to attend a fan event in Sydney around that time.

The pair were then seen sharing an ice cream after a promotional event hosted by Adidas, a brand that both athletes endorse.

The NRL star also liked a post Fowler made to Instagram on Monday – the first time he has made that move on social media.

Fowler posted a series of images from the Matildas Olympic Games qualifiers, which were loved by a host of teammates and fellow athletes, including Cleary.

Cleary and Fowler’s high-profile long-distance affair brings back memories of rugby league star Solomon Haumono’s whirlwind relationship with British model Gabrielle Richens in the 1990s.

Richens rose to fame in Australia after playing a stripper in a controversial Virgin Atlantic commercial, in which she was nicknamed ‘The Pleasure Machine’.

But the lengths Haumono went to be with her made headlines around the world.

The situation brings back memories of the front-page romance between Solomon Haumono and British model Gabrielle Richens (pictured together) in the 1990s.

The pair enjoyed a few years together after meeting at a Sydney nightclub.

In 1998, Haumono – who was then a contracted player with the Canterbury Bulldogs – flew from Australia to Britain to be with her without telling his family or club.

However, it was later revealed that the story was merely an attempt by Haumono to get out of his $400,000 contract so he could move to the St George Illawarra Dragons.