The Mary and Nathan story has become a problem for both of them

It’s rare to have two of Australia’s biggest names in sport openly dating each other. I understand that, it’s inherently fascinating to the public and media alike.

But in the same vein, we have to ask ourselves if we’ve created a maelstrom where neither Mary Fowler nor Nathan Cleary can exist without the other.

It’s difficult to find Fowler stories in which she is not connected to Cleary’s career in some way. On the other side of the coin, Cleary’s future is irrevocably tied and framed around where Fowler is or might be.

No one can go without asking if Nathan will head to the UK to be closer to Mary. To be with Mary.

Obviously if that’s what he wants to do, Cleary could take his pick of Super League suitors but the constant swirling narrative feels contrived. On face value, the evidence shows that both make professional choices based on what’s best for their careers, not the Nathan and Mary show.

And as someone who is the same age as Mary, and sees her as an incredibly well-spoken young woman who has the weight of Australia’s love for the Matildas behind her, I can’t help but wonder if the narrative around her relationship has chained her to something that might not be permanent.

If they break up, does Nathan become Mary Fowler’s ex? Can we disconnect the two?

And how will the Australian media, which I am part of, tell their stories? We are so obsessed with finding the perfect angle for audiences that we’ve intertwined these young Australian athletes to the point of no return.

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This comes from a yearning from sports fans for coverage that passes boundaries on what information is acceptable to have.

With more information at our fingertips, fans feel entitled to every little personal detail that may bring joy, anger, excitement or envy.

And yes, I understand that both of them have posted about each other on social media - Nathan openly giving thanks to “his partner” for their long-distance support while being wheelchair bound.

But those moments are curated for the people, they’ve been willingly given out to the world - the paparazzi shots in Penrith haven’t. The never-ending questioning about each other isn’t.

Does the line ever stop being drawn between the two?

And both have already shown their discomfort at the questioning. What are we teaching our young girls about their lives in sport if not perpetually tied to a man and his own career?

Maybe it’s time for Australian media (including me) to have a long hard look about this, as we see their relationship as infinite.

Things in sport are usually fickle and finite, that’s what I’ve learnt.

The immediate line drawn from Mary missing two friendlies for the Matildas to Cleary and her support of him is boring and lazy.

And yeah, she has flown to Australia and maybe that opens up a further discussion on the international window in football and how we expect footballers to give up their personal lives for our entertainment.

If we refuse to let these two superstars exist independently in their own right, we diminish the sheer brilliance of their individual careers.

Cleary’s Origin performance should not be weighed by Mary’s support from the stands, and Mary’s dedication to her sport should not be torn down due to her decision to spend time with her partner after months away.

Are we going to compromise their legacies as legends of Australian sport because we insist on shackling their achievements together?

Both stepped onto the field to be athletes but neither chose for their relationship to become their defining characteristic.