Nathan Cleary reveals the kind act he’s ‘always’ doing for Mary Fowler – as the Matildas star gets some huge news just before the NRL grand final

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has taken time out from his big final preparations to reveal he is ‘always checking in’ with Mary Fowler to see how she copes with the intense interest in their romance.

The 26-year-old will attempt to claim his fourth straight premiership when he and his Panthers teammates take on Melbourne in the grand final on Sunday. While there is speculation that Fowler will attend, Cleary has confirmed she will honor her commitments with Manchester City. that impossible.

In the past two weeks, he has opened up about his relationship with Fowler in detail for the first time, explaining that he once found himself in a “car chase” with paparazzi after Ny Breaking Australia exclusively revealed their relationship with photos of the couple embracing in Perth.

Now the NRL’s best player has detailed how he shows his concern for Fowler as she struggles with the public eye.

“I felt a little sorry for Mary, just because her personal life was also in the spotlight and all the extra attention,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

‘It all blew up so quickly for her, just after last year’s World Cup, and then the two of us.

‘I always keep an eye on her, but she handles it well.

“It’s been a quick rise, but she’s humble and has a really good head on her shoulders.”

The Panthers star says he ‘felt a little sorry for Mary’ when the intense interest in their romance first unfolded and she had to grapple with fame

When asked if he and Fowler talk about their respective sports and give each other tips, he said, “Sometimes it’s just good to have someone to talk to.”

Cleary could lift the premiership trophy at around 9.30pm on Sunday evening, but Fowler has already earned a major accolade this week.

The Matildas star was named Young Women’s Footballer of the Year by Professional Footballers Australia on Thursday, joining national teammates Ellie Carpenter and Alex Chidiac as two-time winners of the award.

Fowler, 21, said the honor, voted on by her colleagues, meant “a lot” to her.

“It’s one of the best awards I can receive because when I get something from the players I play with and against, it means they think I’m doing a good job and they give me that kind of recognition.” , said Manchester City. assault weapon, which also took home the award in 2022.

“I’m just super grateful for that.”

Fowler has found form at Manchester City after struggling to make an impact during the Australian national team’s disastrous campaign at the Paris Olympics.

Last month she had a night to remember in the French capital when she put in a stunning performance against Paris FC in the Women’s Champions League.

Fowler scored the 5-1 goal shortly after half-time, firing the ball home after a shocking goalkeeping error that gave her a golden opportunity to find the back of the net.

The Matildas star (pictured playing for Manchester City last month) achieved one of Australian football’s highest honors this week

Earlier this month, Cleary also opened up about rumors that he staged the photos of him and Fowler cuddling in Perth, with the fact that he was shirtless at the time fueling speculation that he had tipped off the photographer.

“I swear to God I had no idea,” he said.

‘Leading up to that we were probably quite blasé about how much people actually cared.

“After the park we went back to the car and then we saw someone there with the big camera, and about a few hours later it all came out.”

And despite being one of the most recognizable and popular athletes in Australia, the three-time premiership winner admitted Australians sometimes ignore him in favor of Mary when they want a photo.

‘Sometimes I get brushed. [Fans say] “Oh, not you.”