- The British Matildas star is dating Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary
- NRL club wants to retain coach Ivan Cleary and Nathan for the long term
Penrith chief executive Brian Fletcher confirmed the club’s bold ‘plan’ for Matildas star Mary Fowler during the team’s postponed meeting with fans on Wednesday.
As celebrations continue in western Sydney following the Panthers’ fourth consecutive NRL title, Fletcher said retaining the services of coach Ivan Cleary and his son Nathan is a top priority.
The all-conquering duo are currently under contract until 2027, but the Penrith boss wants to extend their time at the club.
And luring Fowler – who is dating Penrith’s superstar halfback – back to Australia could make the process easier.
‘Last year I said on the radio that if we win in ’23, we will definitely win in ’24 and ’25. So don’t be afraid of next year,” Fletcher told supporters.
‘We also still have ’26 and ’27 to go. And why I say that is that Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary are signed until the end of ’27.
“It is my job and the CEO of football, Matt Cameron, to extend that as far as possible.”
Fletcher added ironically, “Matt’s job is to get Mary back to Australia.”
Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has made retaining the services of coach Ivan Cleary and his son Nathan (pictured) a top priority beyond 2027
It comes after the halfback (right, with teammate Isaah Yeo) helped Penrith to a fourth consecutive NRL premiership at Accor Stadium on Sunday
The Panthers boss said luring Nathan Cleary to Australia permanently would help him stay at the club
But Matildas fans shouldn’t get their hopes up. Fowler, 21, is unlikely to return to Australia as her football career overseas is only just beginning in the Women’s Super League.
She is a key figure at Manchester City and it seems the loved-up couple will have to maintain their long-distance relationship.
It comes as Ivan Cleary revealed Nathan will postpone surgery so he can fly to Britain and spend time with Fowler.
“He’s going abroad to see Mary and then he’ll sort it out,” he said at the club’s awards ceremony on Tuesday.
The playmaker also got under the skin of Parramatta fans when he made a playful comment on Instagram about Ray Price and Peter Wynn over their claims that the 1980s Eels team, which won three premierships in a row, was a superior team was compared to the four-peat Panthers.
Clearly brutal posted a curious emoji above a photo of the Eels greats after one of their grand final wins at the SCG.
In an effort to avoid any alcohol-fuelled incidents, it has since been revealed that Panthers officials have decided to stage the supporters’ event at Penrith Stadium three days after the grand final, rather than the day after as has been the case in previous years. was the case.
It now follows infamous comments made by Api Koroisau before he joined the Tigers from Penrith ahead of the 2023 season.
Mary Fowler is a key figure for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League – and it looks like the loved-up couple will have to maintain their long-distance relationship
“Over the last few years I’ve been here (at Penrith) this place has become like a family to me,” Koroisau said at the time.
“So much young talent, and to reach such a peak, it’s pretty incredible.
“And we’ll probably do the same with the Tigers,” he added, before laughing sarcastically.
Koroisau has since ‘won’ wooden spoons for the past two seasons at the controversial joint venture NRL club.