'I hope it's tongue-in-cheek': Penrith boss clarifies 'disrespectful' Mary Fowler comment
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Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has clarified his comments indicating he wanted Matildas superstar Mary Fowler to return to Australia to live in a bid to keep her boyfriend Nathan Cleary at the foot of the mountains.
Fletcher was at the centre of a storm after making the comment at Penrith's end of year celebration, posing the idea to "bring Mary back" to Australia.
The comment, which has been labelled "disrespectful" if not made as a joke, came in response to speculation that Cleary could weigh up a move to the English Super League to be closer to his partner.
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Fletcher's "light-hearted" remark did not sit comfortably following the celebrations with the rugby league boss required to defend his statement.
Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary Instagram: Mary Fowler
"It was light-hearted," he told Sky Sports Radio on Sunday.
"We've got Nathan and Ivan signed up till the end of '27 and it's our job - or my job - to try to extend that out as far as we can to keep them both at the foot of the mountains until their rugby league days are over.
"It'd take a lot of speculation out of it if (Fowler) did come home, but that's between her and Nathan, we don't interfere with those matters."
The rumour of the Penrith halfback's switch was prompted following Fowler's remarkable start to the Women's Super League season with Manchester City.
But Cleary quashed suggestions he could entertain a move to the Super League, stating "I won't be moving over here anytime soon."
The Penrith halfback was spotted watching the Super League grand final at Old Trafford alongside Fowler on Sunday.
Fletcher's remark was described as "eighties stuff" by ABC Offsiders host Kelli Underwood on Sunday.
Underwood was joined by football commentator Simon Hill, who said Fletcher should be given the benefit of the doubt over the incident.
"I hope it's tongue-in-cheek. I think it was," Hill said.
"If he's being serious, it's a bit disrespectful to our game and to Mary Fowler to expect she would pack her bags in Europe to come back to Australia.
"She probably earns more money than Nathan Cleary, certainly will do in future years because she'll be the big star of the Matildas.
"Let's give (Fletcher) the benefit of the doubt and say he was half joking. I certainly hope he was."
