Matildas cop new blow as Mary Fowler spotted with Nathan Cleary after NRL star's injury setback

Mary Fowler and the Matildas have received some more bad news following their disappointing campaign at the Olympics, falling to 15th in the FIFA world rankings. The Matildas failed to make the quarter-finals in France for the first time since the Sydney Olympics in 2000.

Tony Gustavsson has since departed as head coach, and the search has begun for his replacement. But their early exit from the Olympics is still having after-effects, and it's resulted in a big hit to the Matildas' world ranking.

The Aussies were 12th in the world heading into the Paris Games, but losses against Germany and the USA have seen them drop 32.84 points in the rankings. They are now 15th in the world, dropping behind Denmark, Iceland and Italy.

It comes as another blow as Football Australia searches for Gustavsson's replacement. FA has started the recruitment process for a coach who will lead Australia through the next cycle - which included the home Asian Cup in 2026, the Women's World Cup in 2027 and LA Olympics in 2028.

Football Australia to consult Matildas players on new coach

And according to FA chief executive James Johnson, the likes of Fowler and Sam Kerr will be given a say on who the next coach will be. "We need the players involved. That's important," Johnson told AAP last week.

"The players don't make the decisions. We make the decisions. But I think the more we can understand the players' perspective of what went well and what didn't go well, what they want to maintain, what they don't (the better), and then it's for us to decide how much of that is relevant.

"Certainly listening to the players is going to be important, and we're going to do that. But ultimately we will make the call, and we will make the call on what we believe is in the best interest of this team going forward."

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When asked if the process for selecting a coach would include Kerr, who hasn't been involved with the team since tearing her ACL in January, Johnson said: "Of course. I'm in touch with Sam as we speak. She's a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, just an amazing athlete, amazing footballer and we're very, very proud of her.

"It was obviously very difficult not having Sam in Paris, but we're connected. We can't wait to welcome Sam back into the team, and yes, she'll have a very important role to play when I consult with the players moving forward on the new coach."

Mary Fowler spotted supporting Nathan Cleary after injury blow

Meanwhile, Fowler was spotted supporting boyfriend Nathan Cleary on Friday after he was struck down by another brutal injury blow. The Penrith Panthers halfback dislocated his shoulder against the Melbourne Storm on Thursday night, but the club are confident they'll have him back for the NRL finals.

Cleary has endured an injury-plagued year, spending two different stints on the sideline with a hamstring injury. The shoulder issue came in just his fourth game back after missing two months with the hammie.

Fowler was spotted accompanying Cleary to get scans on Friday, and the golden couple of Australian sport have also been seen enjoying some downtime over the weekend. The Panthers have games against the Raiders (away), Rabbitohs (home) and Titans (home) to round out the regular season.

They will likely finish second on the ladder behind the Melbourne Storm and have a home final in week one of the playoffs, when they are hoping to welcome Cleary back. Because he's avoided surgery on the shoulder, the Panthers are confident he'll play again at some stage this season.