Matildas star Mackenzie Arnold takes cheeky 'swipe' at Mary Fowler's rumoured boyfriend Nathan Cleary: 'I wasn't happy!'

Matildas star Mackenzie Arnold has taken a playful swipe at teammate Mary Fowler's rumoured new boyfriend, Penrith Panthers player Nathan Cleary.

Arnold, 29, appeared on 2DayFM's Hughesy Ed and Erin this week and said she jokingly banned him from the field during Matildas matches, after his team beat the team she supports, the Brisbane Broncos, in the NRL Grand Final in October.

When asked about how interest in the love lives of the Matildas stars has peaked after the World Cup, Arnold said seeing Cleary, 26, in the stands at games was "different" for them at first.

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"Seeing Nathan Cleary in the crowd was a little bit different for us, I was salty from the Grand Final to be honest," Arnold said.

"So I wasn't happy about it, I let Mary know he couldn't come on the field," she added with a laugh.

Earlier this month, Cleary was spotted in the stands in Perth watching rumoured new girlfriend Fowler and the Matildas play Taiwan.

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Fowler, 20, scored a goal and helped the Matildas win the match 3-0.

But it's not the first time the Penrith Panthers star, 25, has watched Fowler play.

Cleary travelled nearly 4000km across the nation to stand in support of the Matildas as they took on the Philippines in Perth in October.

The footy star was also photographed outside of the stadium with fans prior to the game.

Many fans weren't surprised by the star's dedication however, with speculation of a relationship between Cleary and Fowler swirling.

They were recently spotted cuddling up together in a Perth park.

Rumours of the romance sparked after the pair were spotted twice following the Matildas surge to the final four at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Afterwards, Penrith locals reportedly sighted the duo taking a stroll along Nepean river and later sharing an ice-cream at an event hosted by Adidas.

Neither Cleary or Fowler have confirmed or denied they are in a relationship.

It comes after soccer star Cortnee Vine, 25, said she was shocked about the sudden public interest in her romance with partner Charlotte Mclean after the World Cup.

Vine admitted to 9Honey that all the scrutiny has led to some "low points" for her.

"There's been some times like, 'Why is everyone coming at me?'" she said.

"I'm a pretty introverted person. I like my bubble and my personal space to be my own."