Origin Camp Takes Precedence for Blues Star Nathan Cleary
NSW playmaker Nathan Cleary will be unable to attend a rare opportunity to watch his girlfriend, Mary Fowler, play in Sydney on Tuesday night. State of Origin preparations for the New South Wales team have taken priority for the star halfback.
Cleary had expressed a desire to support Fowler as the Matildas face Mexico at CommBank Stadium. However, his commitment to the Blues camp means he will instead be heading to the Central Coast as New South Wales intensifies its preparations for the upcoming Origin II clash.
Long-Distance Relationship Continues
The timing had appeared to offer the prominent sporting couple a brief window to spend time together in Australia, with Fowler returning home from England for the international series. Instead, Cleary will be watching her performance from a distance.
“No, I won’t be able to get there and watch her,” Cleary stated. “We are going to The Central Coast [for camp]. Unfortunately not, but we will watch it on TV.”
The long-distance nature of their relationship remains a reality for one of Australia’s most recognizable sporting partnerships. Fowler is set to play at the venue that serves as the temporary home for Cleary’s Penrith Panthers, but one of her most ardent supporters will not be present in the stands.
Balancing Elite Careers
The couple has navigated a long-distance relationship for a significant portion of the past three years. Fowler is based in England, playing for Manchester City, while Cleary remains in Sydney throughout the NRL season. Their relationship first gained public attention during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup following observed social media interactions. Cleary later confirmed they had been communicating, and the pair were subsequently photographed together publicly.
Shortly after, Fowler attended the NRL Grand Final, where Cleary was instrumental in Penrith securing their third consecutive premiership. Since then, they have emerged as a prominent sporting couple, managing elite careers on opposite sides of the globe.
Future Considerations and Current Focus
Reports have suggested that Fowler’s future career plans could significantly influence Cleary’s next career decision. Analysis from veteran journalist Danny Weidler indicates that Fowler’s ambitions and the couple’s long-term plans will be major factors when Cleary considers his future beyond his tenure with Penrith.
For the present, football remains the primary focus. While Fowler aims to help the Matildas recover from a recent defeat, Cleary is concentrating on leading New South Wales to secure the Origin series in Melbourne next week. The Blues secured a victory in Game One despite facing a substantial deficit, and Cleary has acknowledged that slow starts have become a significant concern.
“It’s pretty obvious the starts are killing us,” Cleary commented. “The last three games we have been down by 20 points at some stage. We are making it really hard on ourselves so trying to start better is a real focus for us.”
Cleary believes the issue stems more from a mental aspect than a tactical one. “It’s probably a mental thing. There is just so much emotion that goes into the game and sometimes you’re not yourself at the start,” he explained. “When you make uncharacteristic errors, it comes down to the mental side and concentration. But, in saying that, I thought our belief and courage to stay in the game (in Sydney) – and then come away with it late – was really pleasing.”
