- Nathan Cleary is currently in the UK to be with the Matildas star
- Ivan recently opened up about his mental health struggles
Penrith master coach Ivan Cleary has made a hilarious joke at his son Nathan’s expense as he discussed the halfback’s romance with Matildas star Mary Fowler while being interviewed on live TV.
Fresh off Penrith’s historic fourth straight NRL premiership, the Panthers playmaker recently took a trip to Britain to spend quality time with his partner.
The pair hit the headlines this weekend after a shock performance at the Super League final in Manchester as Wigan Warriors won their fourth straight title.
The celebrity romance has captured the attention of the entire country – a fact not lost on Nathan’s father Ivan.
While appearing on Channel Nine’s Today show on Tuesday to promote his new book, the super coach was jokingly asked whether Nathan should train at home instead of going on holiday abroad.
“I guess he’s already training there,” Cleary grinned.
“But he follows Mary everywhere, he’s the male version of a WAG there.”
The four-time premiership-winning coach is on top of the world after Penrith’s historic victory against the Storm in the NRL decider, but few know how much the reserved 53-year-old has struggled in his private life.
Ivan Cleary says his son Nathan is like a male WAG when he is in Britain visiting Mary Fowler
The Panthers playmaker recently traveled to Britain to spend time with his football star girlfriend (pictured together)
Cleary recently revealed his long struggle with mental health in a new autobiography.
“I’ve been lucky enough to win four premierships in the last four years, but it took 26 years to achieve that as a player and coach… there are also a lot of downs in a long career,” Cleary said. Today.
“Probably when I first went back to Panthers in 2019, I was sure I was struggling. I had had some previous cases that I probably didn’t really realize. I guess you’ll figure it out over time.
‘Having difficulty getting out of bed, or not wanting to. Other things, like getting emotional for no real reason… or there are clearly reasons for that.
Ivan Cleary (pictured) recently opened up about his battle with depression and revealed the signs that showed he was mentally out of place
‘I, like many men, kept everything under control and didn’t discuss it. I started by talking to my wife – she made it very clear that she was disappointed that I didn’t open up.
“I thought I didn’t want to be a burden to her, or that people are doing it harder than me, I have to toughen up and keep going.
“It’s been a long journey, but I wanted to share something because it’s not just beer and skittles.”