Article body analysed
By ANDREW PRENTICE AND SHAYNE BUGDEN FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 09: 37 AEST, 21 May 2025 | Updated: 10: 30 AEST, 21 May 2025 4 View comments Matildas star Mary Fowler has revealed how her relationship with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary kicked-off - and who made the first move. Fowler, 22, spoke to retired footy player Keegan Hipgrave about the couple's blossoming romance, with Channel Nine's Today releasing a snippet of the interview on Wednesday morning. 'We both got asked to an Adidas store opening in Sydney, ' the Manchester City winger recalled. 'I only (really) went because he was going (on the day) we both wanted to speak to each other. .. but we were both so shy. 'We starting talking after that and he (Cleary) made the first move. ' It comes as Cleary revealed he has managed to convince his girlfriend to support the NSW Blues ahead of the State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28. Fowler was born in Cairns, in far north Queensland. And according to the recalled NSW halfback, Fowler is currently unable to travel home to watch her man in action due to her recent ACL injury. Matildas star Mary Fowler has revealed how her relationship with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary kicked-off - and who made the first move Fowler spoke to retired footy player Keegan Hipgrave about the couple's blossoming romance, with Channel 9's Today releasing a snippet of the interview on Wednesday 'I don’t think so, ' Cleary said when pressed on whether Fowler would be able to make any of the three Origin games this year. He then revealed the football star should have returned following the conclusion of the Women's Super League season in England. 'It’s pretty unfortunate because she was meant to be back last week, so she would have been able to come to the game, ' he said. 'But, yeah, she’s sort of attacking her rehab at the moment and hopefully she can get back at some stage, but nothing is confirmed yet. ' Following that Adidas store commitment in 2023, the pair have become Australia's sporting power couple. Despite the 17, 000km distance between Sydney and Manchester - plus the time difference - Cleary has opened up on how he's been supporting Fowler through her injury setback. 'I’ve just been trying to be by her side in spirit, obviously, not physically, which is tough, you know, because it is a lonely time for her, having to go through this rehab period, ' he said. 'But I’m so proud of the way she’s attacked it and she’s very strong-minded and I’m very proud of her and just trying to be by her side (through it). ' Mary Fowler (right, pictured with Matildas defender Courtney Nevin) has made a bombshell move to switch allegiances from Queensland to NSW ahead of the Origin series opener Fowler is currently recovering after undergoing a ruptured ACL and was seen using a wheel chair when she recently visited Chester Zoo Over the past month, Cleary has paid multiple nods to his girlfriend, including posing for a picture in one of Fowler's Matildas shirts after her injury Fowler showed her support when Cleary led the Panthers to their fourth-straight premiership last October, donning a Penrith jersey prior to turning out for Manchester City Despite the injury, Fowler is keeping a positive mindset. She has published several snaps of her recovery journey online, including a video of her visiting Chester Zoo. Fowler, who has been on crutches in recent weeks, was seen using a wheelchair as she and fellow Matildas star Courtney Nevin enjoyed a day out. They stopped to check out the penguins, elephants and enjoy a coffee. The loved up couple keep their relationship strong by sharing their lives with each other via messages, Facetime chats and quirky in-jokes, like Fowler recently revealing that she likes to eat donuts and send her reviews to Cleary. In November of 2023, exclusive photos from Daily Mail Australia in Perth lifted the lid on their couple's romance. Cleary has also previously admitted the long-distance relationship comes with its challenges. The Manchester City star ruptured her ACL in April during Manchester City's Women's FA Cup defeat by Manchester United 'It's been tough, it's definitely not something that I ever thought I'd do, ' he told the Keegan and Company podcast. 'I think it sort of helped for us that as soon as we met each other, and we sort of got talking, we knew it was going to lead down to that path and if we wanted to do it, it was going to be long distance. 'Sometimes you just get home and you want a little cuddle, but I think it's helped us in a way to connect on more than just [on] a physical level and actually have genuine conversations. 'We just navigate around it and when we do see each other, it's the best thing ever. You are really grateful for those moments we get to spend together. We're constantly talking on Facetime or whatever and we sort of find our way through that. ' The Panthers playmaker said both he and Fowler have spoken about having children, but arrangements currently aren't ideal for a family. 'It's obviously tough that we are both pretty stuck into our sport, ' he said. 'Definitely want to [have kids] in the future. I'd love for it to be with Mary, I just think she'll be the best mother. 'But yeah, we'll see. It's not a rush at the moment but definitely in the future … post footy, I would love to have a little family of my own. ' The full Mary Fowler interview will be available on the Keegan and Company podcast later this week.
Share what you think
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mail Online.
By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual. Do you want to automatically post your Mail Online comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to Mail Online as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on Mail Online. To do this we will link your Mail Online account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group