Mary Fowler leaves Matildas to support injured partner Nathan Cleary

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 01:00 · Archive

Matildas forward Mary Fowler has withdrawn from the national squad to be with her injured NRL partner Nathan Cleary as he recovers from surgery.

Matildas forward Mary Fowler withdrew from the Australian national squad for upcoming friendly matches to travel to Australia and support her partner, NRL player Nathan Cleary, who is recovering from major surgery. Cleary underwent operations on both legs following the Penrith Panthers' preliminary final defeat to Newcastle on 27 September. The withdrawal had been announced as being for 'personal reasons'.

Fowler appeared publicly with Cleary on Saturday at a fundraiser for Parkinson's Australia, supporting his former teammate Liam Henry. Photographs showed Cleary in a wheelchair with both legs bandaged and elevated, while Fowler stood beside him smiling.

Cleary posted on Instagram on Sunday evening, expressing gratitude to Fowler. '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,' he wrote. 'I'm a very lucky man and so, so grateful.' Fowler responded, saying she was 'very lucky' and 'it's easy to look after someone when they're a big cutie patootie'. Matildas coach Joe Montemurro said the team supported her decision, stating: 'It's really important that we create an environment that is important for the player, and as the circumstances are private I'm not going to elaborate.'

How it is being reported

• ‘So so grateful’: Nathan Cleary confirms reason behind Mary Fowler’s Matildas absenceFowler pulled out of Australia squad for ‘personal reasons’ Attacker is now back in Australia with injured NRL star post-surgery Injured rugby league player Nathan Cleary has expressed deep appreciation to Matildas forward Mary Fowler, his partner who flew to Australia to spend time with him as he recovers from major surgery. Fowler withdrew from international duty with the Australian national team, who lost 4-2 to Germany in a friendly on Saturday, and has been spending time with Cleary in Sydney. Continue reading...Guardian Sport · 12 Oct, 00:38
• Mary Fowler beams after she abandoned the Matildas to rush back to Australia for her injured NRL star partner Nathan ClearyMary Fowler shared a series of photos on Saturday alongside partner, injured Panthers star Nathan Cleary.Daily Mail Sport · 11 Oct, 11:32

In this story: Mary Fowler · Nathan Cleary · Matildas · Penrith Panthers · Liam Henry · Joe Montemurro · Newcastle · Australia

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