Mark “Spudd” Carroll Urges Nathan Cleary to Consider UK Move for Love and Rugby
Former Australian and Penrith enforcer Mark “Spudd” Carroll has encouraged Panthers star Nathan Cleary to consider leaving the NRL to be with his partner, Manchester City and Matildas forward Mary Fowler, in England.
Writing in his The Nightly column, Carroll, 57, said Cleary should “follow his heart” and consider relocating to the UK to be with Fowler full-time. Carroll, who has observed Cleary’s positive energy during Fowler’s recent trip to Australia with the Matildas, believes the time could be right for the Panthers playmaker to pursue both love and a fresh challenge.
“The great thing about Nathan is that he can have the best of both worlds,” Carroll wrote. “He doesn’t need to give up rugby league to be with the woman he loves.”
Cleary, 27, is at the peak of his career, having accomplished nearly everything in the game — four premierships with Penrith, two Clive Churchill Medals, three State of Origin series wins with New South Wales, and a World Cup triumph with the Kangaroos in 2021.
Though contracted to Penrith until 2027, Carroll believes Cleary could seek an early release to pursue a Super League stint, with Wigan, St Helens, and Leeds all being floated as potential destinations.
The NRL has previously expressed willingness to consider compassionate grounds for player transfers. Notably, Cleary’s former teammate James Fisher-Harris was allowed to exit his Panthers deal early in 2024 to return to New Zealand for family reasons.
Cleary himself has spoken openly about the possibility of a Super League move, saying he’s intrigued by the opportunity to experience different cultures and environments.
“I’m not against it,” he previously said. “I’m pretty open-minded when it comes to that sort of thing. I love new experiences.”
Carroll, who had a brief stint with the London Broncos in 1998, is hopeful Cleary and Fowler will take the plunge.
“Not only would it be a great love story, but it would also excite fans across two rugby-loving nations,” he said.
Panthers Struggle to Find Form
Meanwhile, the Panthers’ poor form in 2025 has cast a shadow over their once-dominant dynasty. A fourth straight defeat — this time to the Cowboys — has left the reigning premiers near the bottom of the ladder, with just one win from five games.
Penrith faces a crucial clash against the Dolphins in Brisbane this Thursday, with both teams sitting on just two competition points. A fifth consecutive loss could further derail the Panthers’ hopes of staying in top-eight contention.
Coach Ivan Cleary admitted post-match that the team is navigating unfamiliar territory.
“We’ve worked for years to build a winning culture, and part of that is focusing on what we can control,” he said. “It’s my job to coach better, and that’s what we’re trying to do — find the answers.”
