On Sunday, Nathan Cleary will lead Penrith out in the NRL Grand Final as his side chase an unprecedented fourth straight premiership win.
But several questions hang over the halfback’s fitness as the 26-year-old has struggled with a troublesome shoulder injury throughout the season.
Panthers fans will be hoping the injury won’t cause too many problems for their star midfield player after he aggravated the problem during his side’s 22-24 win over the Storm in August.
The 26-year-old sat on the sidelines for the next three matches, but returned to produce two try assists in the Panthers’ opening final against the Roosters.
While there was speculation over whether Cleary would be 100 per cent fit to play, other fans wondered whether his partner and Matildas star Mary Fowler will make a flying visit from Britain to support her partner at the Accor Stadium.
Fowler, 21, currently plays for Manchester City, with the Women’s Super League kicking off the 2024/25 season two weeks ago.
Fowler has made two appearances on the bench this season but has started in both of City’s opening games for the Women’s Champions League qualifier against Paris Saint-Germain, with the Australian star scoring in the opener of their tie.
Nathan Cleary has revealed whether his girlfriend Mary Fowler will attend the NRL Grand Final
Fans are eager to know if Fowler will make the trip back from Britain to support the Panthers star
Fowler currently plays for Manchester City Women, who started their WSL season two weeks ago
But ahead of Sunday’s grand final, Cleary wondered if Fowler would fly back to cheer him on at Sunday’s showpiece event, and the Panthers superstar couldn’t help but smile at the question.
Cleary told reporters: “She’s not coming. Her season has just started in England. I think she’ll be watching, but she won’t be there.’
City will next be in action at home against West Ham on Sunday. But their match doesn’t start until 11pm (AEDT), while the grand final starts at 7.30pm (AEDT).
It means there is a good chance the City women’s star will miss a large chunk of the match as she prepares for the WSL clash.
It was reported that Cleary was considering a shock move to Super League and would join his girlfriend in Britain, but this speculation has since been dismissed by Penrith bosses, who claim he has expressed no desire to leave.
Mail Sport exclusively revealed Cleary and Fowler started dating last November and recently enjoyed spending some time together after the City star returned to Australia following the Matildas’ elimination from the Paris Olympics.
The pair have been dating since November last year and their blossoming relationship is in the spotlight
Fowler recently spent some time at home in Australia after the Matildas were eliminated from the Paris Olympics
It was reported that Cleary was considering a shock move to the Super League and would join his girlfriend in Britain
In recent weeks, Brian To’o teased that the pair are now “engaged” during a cheeky post-match interview. To’o joked that fans were cheering for Cleary and girlfriend Fowler, who are now “engaged,” during the Panther’s recent win over the Titans.
“They’re just chilling while everyone else is going crazy. They’re pretty much here for Nathan and Mary, so congratulations, I think they’re engaged.
“Congratulations to them.”
Although not yet officially confirmed, Cleary has opened up about the impact the City star has had on his life. Cleary readily declared that their relationship “added a new perspective” and praised Fowler for being “super supportive.” ‘.
“I loved it, it’s everything I could have ever dreamed of having a partner, to be honest,” he told Channel Nine’s Marlee and Me podcast.
“It’s just added a new perspective, but it’s also added an extra layer: when things go well, you want to share it with them and talk about it, and when things don’t go well, they’re there too.
‘Super supportive and I absolutely loved it. It’s just a great addition to life, to be honest, and it’s made me very happy. Love conquers.’
Cleary, pictured with his dog Prince, spoke fondly of the influence Mary has had on his life since they became an item last year
There are fears Cleary may still be nursing a shoulder injury heading into Sunday’s grand final
Cleary also spoke out about the shoulder injury that saw him leave the field during Penrith’s recent game against Storm.
He assured Panthers fans the injury was “all good,” before adding: “It was just a blow.”
“It was always going to be one of those things where I wasn’t 100 percent,” the halfback said.
“I was absolutely confident about getting back on the field and playing… I didn’t even think about it. Even after that little incident, I played the next two sets and was sweet.”