Aussie sport’s hottest romance went public on Wednesday as Mary Fowler and a shirtless Nathan Cleary shared some tender moments in Perth. According to news Australia exclusively revealed photos of the NRL superstar and his soccer ace girlfriend spending time together before the Matildas’ Olympics qualifying match, they took it up several notches as they cuddled in a park.
Mary Fowler left the team’s hotel on Wednesday morning, grabbed a coffee and met up with Cleary, who flew into the city to support her as she starred in Australia’s big win over the Philippines on Sunday. They could be seen laying together in the middle of an open park by the water laughing, hugging, chatting, and drinking from the same water bottle.
At one point, Cleary took his shirt off and Fowler lay on his chest. The stars appeared playful as they lay on the grass tossing empty water bottles in the air and catching them as he threw his arm around her and laughed. They then held hands briefly as they went back to Cleary’s black SUV, where the couple had a brief chat in the car before he drove away and Fowler walked back to her accommodation.
The Manchester City star and NRL premiership winner have been romantically linked since being spotted together twice following the Matildas’ World Cup campaign. They first attracted attention as a potential couple when they were seen together on a leisurely walk along the Nepean River in Penrith in Sydney’s west.
The pair were then seen sharing an ice cream following a promotional event hosted by Adidas, a brand both athletes endorse. Last Sunday, Cleary was photographed with two Matildas fans outside Optus Stadium just before the Aussies’ 8-0 victory over the Philippines, with Fowler scoring the opening goal.
A relaxed Fowler was wearing a white singlet, shorts and sneakers with her hair tied back and a cap on, while Cleary sported a large black knee brace after being injured in the Penrith Panthers’ NRL grand final win last month.
Matildas supporter Annie Lewin shared the shot of Cleary with the caption ‘silly for the tillies’, giving the clearest indication to that point that there was a romantic connection between the pair. ‘There was a guy that recognised him and they shook hands and Mary laughed, then they were just laughing and walking very close together,’ the passer-by said.
The NRL star also liked a post Fowler put up on Instagram on Monday the first time he’s taken that step on social media. Fowler posted a series of images from the Matildas’ Olympics qualification matches, which were liked by a host of teammates and fellow athletes, including Cleary.
She is sure to be a big part of Australia’s attack as they take on Taiwan in the final qualifier on Wednesday night at Perth’s HBF Park Stadium, which is within an easy walk of where the couple were spotted on Tuesday.
