- Mackenzie Arnold opened up on radio about NRL star
- Cleary’s romance with Fowler was confirmed in October
- The pair were spotted in Perth when Matildas played Olympic qualifiers
- It’s the world against Everton – it could encourage the players to stay up – IAKO
Matildas star Mackenzie Arnold has revealed why she didn’t want footy star Nathan Cleary to run onto the field to meet his girlfriend Mary Fowler after one of the national team’s recent matches in Perth.
The Aussie and Manchester City ace’s romance with the NRL grand final winner became the country’s biggest sporting story when Ny Breaking Australia exclusively revealed the pair enjoying some tender moments in a park on October 31.
Fowler and her Matildas teammates were playing Olympic Games qualifying matches in the city at the time, and the couple were spotted having a cup of coffee the day before embracing for photos.
Fowler and Cleary were in love when their romance was confirmed in Ny Breaking Australia’s exclusive photos, but her Matildas teammate Mackenzie Arnold has revealed she wasn’t too impressed with the footy star
Arnold (pictured at a Matildas training) said seeing Cleary in the stands when the team played in Perth really highlighted how far they had come thanks to the World Cup
Cleary was also seen arriving at Optus Stadium to cheer on Fowler when the Matildas defeated the Philippines on October 29, and was in the crowd when the Aussies defeated Taiwan three days later.
On Thursday, Arnold opened up about the light-hearted reason why she didn’t want him to run onto the field to reunite with his love interest.
‘I was still salty from the grand final,’ revealed the Brisbane Broncos fan, whose team lost the biggest game of the year as Cleary played a starring role in leading his Penrith side to a stunning come-from-behind ‘-victory.
‘I wasn’t happy about it and informed Mary that he couldn’t go on the field.’
The goalkeeper also told this to listeners on 2DAY FM’s Hughesy, Ed and Erin showing that seeing Cleary in the stands was a reminder of the huge impact the Matildas’ World Cup success has had on their standing in Australia.
Asked if there was a moment that made it all clear to her, she replied: “I think it was absolutely crazy for us to see Nathan Cleary in the crowd.”
The Panthers halfback played the supportive friend as his girlfriend tackled Taiwan in a match the Matildas won 3-0.
Fowler smiled broadly when she saw Cleary’s face on the big screen during the Aussies’ win over Taiwan
The footy star watched his love interest score a goal in the win (pictured) – but Arnold joked she wished he wasn’t allowed on the pitch to see his girlfriend after starring in Penrith beating her Broncos in the Grand finale
Fowler was Australia’s biggest threat in a first half that ended goalless.
After a half-time team talk from coach Tony Gustavsson, Fowler returned to the pitch and saw Cleary’s face on the big screen as the Penrith hero chatted with friends before the start of the second stanza of the game at HBF Park.
A wide smile spread across her face as she laughed with teammates, clearly happy to see her new friend present.
That confidence booster certainly helped, with Fowler finding the back of the net early in the second half with a sensational strike from range to put the Matildas ahead against their rivals.
The pair first attracted attention as a potential couple when they were spotted together on a leisurely stroll along the Nepean River in Penrith in Sydney’s west.
The pair were then spotted sharing an ice cream after a promotional event hosted by Adidas, a brand that both athletes endorse.