Nathan Cleary, the injured rugby league player, has publicly acknowledged the support of his partner, Matildas forward Mary Fowler, who withdrew from Australia’s national women’s soccer team to be by his side during his recovery. Fowler, who flew to Sydney to assist Cleary following his recent surgeries, missed the Matildas’ friendly match against Germany, held on Saturday, in which Australia fell 4-2.
Cleary, who suffered a broken left leg during Penrith’s NRL preliminary final loss to Newcastle and also underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot, shared photos on Instagram highlighting Fowler’s care during his rehabilitation. He expressed gratitude for her presence, calling her “the absolute best” and saying he felt “very lucky and so, so grateful” for her support. Fowler, a forward for Manchester City, reciprocated the sentiment, describing herself as “very lucky” and saying it was “easy to look after someone when they’re a big cutie patootie.”
Fowler’s absence was initially described by the Matildas as due to “personal circumstances.” Coach Joe Montemurro offered some clarity before the match in Karlsruhe, emphasizing the private nature of the situation. “It’s really important that we create an environment that is important for the player,” Montemurro said. “As the circumstances are private I’m not going to elaborate. But yes, absolutely, discussions were had with Mary, with the club, and with the relevant people, and we believe that we’ve made the right decision and I think everyone’s in support of the situation.”
The Matildas’ lineup also excluded midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross, who remains sidelined as she continues to recover from the recent death of her mother. Without Fowler, the team conceded two early goals before narrowing the deficit to 3-2 late in the game but ultimately fell short. Fowler is also expected to miss the team’s upcoming friendly against Haiti in France.
During her time in Sydney, Fowler was seen supporting Cleary’s teammate Liam Henry, who was fundraising for Parkinson’s disease. Meanwhile, Cleary remains reliant on a wheelchair for mobility and has been documented receiving assistance with his medical boot and therapy, underscoring the severity of his injuries.
On the club front, Fowler’s Manchester City squad is preparing for their next Women’s Super League fixture against Brighton, scheduled in seven days. The couple’s personal circumstances have intersected with their professional commitments, highlighting the challenges faced by elite athletes balancing career and personal crises.