EXCLUSIVE
Australian sport’s hottest romance went public on Wednesday when Mary Fowler and a shirtless Nathan Cleary erased any doubts they were a couple when they were pictured sharing some tender moments in Perth.
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 in a park.
Mary Fowler left the team hotel on Wednesday morning, grabbed a cup of coffee and met Cleary, who flew into town to support her as she played in Australia’s big win over the Philippines on Sunday.
They could be seen lying together in the middle of an open park by the water – laughing, hugging, chatting and drinking from the same water bottle.
At one point, Cleary took off his shirt and Fowler lay on his chest.
Romance confirmed! Fowler rested her head on Cleary’s shirtless chest as they made their relationship public in Perth on Wednesday
The couple were seen holding hands, laughing, chatting and cuddling in a park overlooking the water near Perth’s CBD
Cleary wore a knee brace after being injured during his match-winning performance as he guided Penrith to their third successive premiership last month
The stars were rumored to be romantically linked for the first time shortly after the Matildas’ World Cup campaign ended
The stars seemed playful as they lay on the grass, throwing empty water bottles into the air and catching them as he put his arm around her and laughed.
They then briefly held each other as they headed back to Cleary’s black SUV, where the couple had a brief conversation in the car before he drove away and Fowler walked back to her accommodation.
Fowler declined to comment when Ny Breaking Australia asked about the romantic display, saying: “Sorry, I just want to go back to my hotel.”
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 declined to comment when contacted by Ny Breaking Australia shortly after the photos were taken, but the images speak volumes
The couple looked playful as they lay on the grass, tossing empty water bottles into the air and catching them as Cleary put his arm around Fowler and laughed.
The pair were then seen sharing an ice cream after a promotional event hosted by Adidas, a brand that both athletes endorse.
Last Sunday, Cleary was photographed with two Matildas fans outside Optus Stadium, moments before the Aussies’ 8-0 win over the Philippines, with Fowler scoring the opening goal.
Matildas supporter Annie Lewin shared Cleary’s photo with the caption ‘stupid for the tillies’, which at the time was the biggest indication of a romantic connection between the pair.
Exclusive photos from Ny Breaking Australia on Tuesday showed the couple enjoying each other’s company and laughing after grabbing a takeaway coffee, with one onlooker describing their interaction as ‘low-key but cute’.
“There was a man who recognized him and they shook hands and Mary laughed, then they were just laughing and walking very close to each other,” the passerby said.
An onlooker described their interaction as “low-key but cute” as they “laughed and walked very close to each other” in Ny Breaking Australia’s exclusive photos on Tuesday.
Cleary sparked romance rumors with Fowler last Sunday when he was pictured in a selfie with two Matildas fans outside Optus Stadium in Perth after flying in to support her ahead of the team’s big win over the Philippines.
Fowler (pictured celebrating her goal against the Philippines with Sam Kerr) is certain to star in the Matildas’ match against Taiwan on Wednesday night
A relaxed Fowler wore a white singlet, shorts and trainers with her hair tied back and a cap, while Cleary wore a large black knee brace after being injured in the Panthers’ grand final last month.
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.
She will certainly be a big part of Australia’s attack when they take on Taiwan in the final qualifier on Wednesday night at HBF Park Stadium in Perth, within walking distance of where the couple was spotted on Tuesday.