The star halfback was spotted in the stands supporting his girlfriend Mary Fowler as she shone for the Matildas, and it’s sparked fresh speculation about his future.
NRL great Mark Carroll has encouraged Nathan Cleary to listen to his heart and consider leaving the NRL to be closer to Fowler, who plays in England. Cleary’s appearance at the Matildas’ game against South Korea on Monday night has only added fuel to the fire.
In his weekly column for The Nightly, Carroll pointed out that Cleary has looked a little off this season, with the Panthers starting the year 1-4. But the former Penrith forward said Cleary seemed noticeably more upbeat during a press conference on Friday when he spoke about Fowler returning to Australia.
Fowler featured in Sydney on Friday night and then scored a goal in Newcastle on Monday, helping the Matildas secure a 2-0 win. “I’ll try to get up to Newcastle on Monday night for the (Matildas) game,” Cleary said last week. “It feels like a little refresh whenever I get to see her, and I’m definitely grateful for it.”
Carroll wrote: “There was a spring in his step and a big grin on his face — his words gave a strong hint about where his heart is. At the time, I didn’t know Mary was back in the country, but Nathan’s energy gave it away. I’ve been happily married for over 20 years, so I know a bit about love — and I’d tell Nathan to follow his heart and move to England to be with Mary full-time.”
Rumours have been swirling about the possibility of Cleary moving to the English Super League to be closer to Fowler, who plays for Manchester City and is based in Europe for most of the year. While the 27-year-old is contracted with Penrith until the end of 2027, it’s unclear whether the club would try to keep him if he wanted a change.
Carroll believes Cleary has already accomplished all he can in the NRL — four consecutive premierships, State of Origin wins with NSW, and a World Cup with Australia. The only thing missing is an Origin series where he’s been the standout player, but Carroll doesn’t think that diminishes his legacy.
“He doesn’t have to give up the game,” Carroll added. “He can still play top-level rugby league in the north of England and be close to Mary. At 27, he’s already secured his legacy — there’s not much left to prove.”
Cleary was later seen supporting Fowler as she delivered a standout performance in Newcastle. Returning to the starting XI, the 22-year-old scored just before halftime after battling through four defenders, and later assisted Kaitlyn Torpey’s second-half goal in front of a record crowd of 28,019.
Playing in her usual Manchester City role on the left wing, Fowler was in top form. “I really enjoy that position — I feel like I can see more of the field and get into different angles,” she said post-match. “It felt more natural, and I think I was able to contribute more. Hopefully that’s a step in the right direction for me individually, and I can keep building on that.”
