NRL star Nathan Cleary shares loved-up post praising Mary Fowler for support during his recovery
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NRL star Nathan Cleary is still recovering from his horror broken leg, but he’s got one special person by his side.
Sharing a series of loved up snaps with his partner Mary Fowler on Instagram, the Penrith Panthers captain admitted he didn’t even have the words to describe her right now.
Nathan Cleary has shared a loved-up tribute to his partner Mary Fowler as he recovers from two lots of leg surgery. Instagram/@_nathancleary
“I simply do not have enough space in this caption for the amount of nice adjectives I would use to describe @maryfowlerrr but this woman is the absolute best 🌟 !!!” he wrote.
“I can’t thank you enough for flying to the other side of the world to look after me and be by my side during this past week of recovery. I’m a very lucky man & so so grateful ❤️🔥.”
The post included snaps of Fowler cuddled up with him on the couch, massaging his legs and delivering coffees to him – with a few laughs too – while he recovers from two rounds of surgery.
Cleary’s followers loved the post, with teammates and friends commenting their support for the couple.
“Love wins again & again 🥺 ,” commented fellow Panthers player Brian To’o.
“She’s a keeper, I mean striker but you know what I mean keeper,” replied another follower, joking about her skills as a soccer player.
Another wrote: “The absolute best Nat you deserve it ! Enjoy guys.”
The NRL Roast page commented: “Hurry up and put one of those 4 rings on her finger mate” – and people agree, with the comment already racking up more than 1500 likes.
Cleary revealed that Fowler has returned to Australia to support him through recovery in the post shared on his social media. Instagram/@_nathancleary
The couple first met at an Adidas event in 2023 and while reports of a blossoming relationship were swirling, it was months before any confirmation from either side.
In January 2024, Cleary hard launched the relationship on social media, sharing a snap of himself with Fowler on Instagram.
From there the couple began appearing frequently on each other’s social media feeds, at each other’s games and showing support for their respective sporting careers however they could.
But sharing their relationship so publicly, especially talking about it in the media, is something both rarely do.
Nathan Cleary of the Blues celebrates with his partner and Matildas player Mary Fowler in July. Getty Images
Fowler plays soccer overseas for Manchester City in the UK, while Cleary plays for the Penrith Panthers, which means most of their relationship has been long distance.
The soccer star recently withdrew from the Matildas squad, and revealed she was unavailable for two international friendlies this month “due to personal circumstances”.
It now appears that personal reason was to support her partner, who is recovering from both a compound fracture in his left leg, and a broken bone in his right foot.
Cleary also gave a shout out to Fowler as he accepted the Dally M Medal last month while sitting on the couch at home.
