- Duo was spotted together twice after the FIFA Women’s World Cup
- Fans call them the sport’s greatest power couple
- Cleary flew to Perth rather than watch teammates in Melbourne
Nathan Cleary traveled 4,000km across the country to support Mary Fowler in Perth on Sunday in a major sign that the NRL grand final hero is dating the Matildas star.
Fowler was in Western Australia to play a series of Olympic qualifiers for the Matildas, with Cleary photographed on the ground after racing across the country to watch from the stands.
Cleary and Fowler linked up after being spotted together twice following Matildas’ rise to the last four at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Penrith locals were the first to spot the 25-year-old NRL sensation as he took a leisurely stroll along the scenic River Nepean with the 20-year-old Matildas striker.
They were later spotted sharing an ice cream together after a promotional event hosted by Adidas, a brand they both endorse.
Fans from both codes declared them to be Australian sport’s newest power couple, and Cleary’s cross-country drive to see Fowler play will skyrocket that speculation.
Cleary poses for a selfie with Matildas fans outside Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday ahead of the Olympic qualifier against the Philippines
Fowler has emerged as a Matildas superstar and was romantically linked to Cleary after the FIFA Women’s World Cup
Cleary missed Australia’s Kangaroos Pacific Championships series due to a knee injury suffered in the NRL Grand Final during his heroics for the Penrith Panthers in their victory over the Brisbane Broncos.
So while his Kangaroos teammates took on New Zealand at AAMI Park in Melbourne, Cleary found himself on the other side of the country supporting the Australian women’s team in Perth.
The Matildas are in Australia to play a series of Olympic Games qualifying matches and defeated the Philippines 8-0 at Optus Stadium.
Nearly 60,000 people came to watch the game, including Cleary, who was photographed with enthusiastic fans outside the stadium before kick-off.
Matildas fan Annie Lewin posted the image with Cleary and the caption ‘stupid for the tillies’.
A friend quickly figured out the Fowler link and replied, “Hmmm, what was Nathan doing there?”
Fowler plays for England Women’s Super League side Manchester City but is back in Australia for the Matildas Olympic qualifiers
Cleary and Fowler have not commented on the speculation they are dating, but Cleary’s recent flight across the country to see her play speaks volumes
Both parties are silent about the possible blossoming romance.
However, Cleary, who split from his former partner Teah Foot last year, hinted at the prospect of a relationship during the NRL finals launch.
“It is what it is, it’s a bit annoying not to have a private life, but I prefer not to talk about it too much and keep everything private,” he said.
“It’s moving quite quickly with social media, but I’ll try to keep my private life if I can.”
Cleary is a three-time premiership winner with the Penrith Panthers after his heroics helped them claim the 2023 title over Brisbane
A knee injury prevented Cleary from playing for the Kangaroos, but instead of being in Melbourne to support them, he flew to Perth to support Fowler and the Matildas.
Cleary was asked point-blank on The Kyle and Jackie O Show if he was dating Fowler after the grand finale, but declined to comment.
“No, no, we’re not going to get into that,” he said.
However, his partner Jarome Luai was happy to fan the flames when trainee Pete asked him which teammate would be most likely to date Matilda.
“Nathan Cleary, shhh,” he said.
‘He was a little shy about it, that’s all.
‘I tried to get some information out of him.
‘I want to see my brother happy, he is looking for some love.
“Yes, but we’ll see how it goes.”