Panthers boss in telling Mary Fowler comment as Nathan Cleary makes immediate move overseas

Penrith Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has made a throwaway comment that the club might need to find a way to bring Mary Fowler home to Australia in order to keep Nathan Cleary long-term. The superstar halfback won't be spending the next few weeks lapping up the premiership triumph with his teammates, and will instead jet off to the UK to spend some time with Fowler.

Cleary helped steer the Panthers to a fourth-straight premiership on Sunday night, but is set to depart the country in coming days and cut his celebrations short. Speaking at the Panthers' awards night on Tuesday, father and coach Ivan Cleary revealed his son is set to make his way to the UK this week to see his girlfriend. Fowler is currently in England playing for Manchester City and wasn't able to make the trip down under to watch the NRL grand final.

Ivan also revealed that Nathan has put shoulder surgery on hold for two weeks so he can make the most of his downtime with Fowler. “He’s heading overseas to see Mary, spend some time with her, and then he’ll get it done,” Ivan told Channel 7. “(There was) a little bit of work done today to see if he needs surgery and whatnot."

Panthers boss makes telling comment about Mary Fowler

It comes amid speculation Cleary could decide to up stumps and move to the Super League if he wants to be closer to Fowler long-term. With the Matildas superstar plying her trade in the top women's competition in England, it's been rumoured Cleary could follow her overseas.

And speaking at the Panthers' fan day on Wednesday, Fletcher made mention of the situation. “Last year on radio I said if we win in ‘23, we’ll definitely win in ‘24 and ‘25. So don’t be afraid of next year,” he said.

“We’ve also got ‘26 and ‘27 to go. And why I say that is, Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary are signed until the end of ‘27. It’s my job and the CEO of Football, Matt Cameron, to extend that as far as we can. Matt’s job also is he’s got to bring Mary back to Australia.”

The comment was only a throwaway line, but it might send shivers down the spine of Panthers fans. It seemed to be a concession that unless Fowler moves back to Australia, Cleary could be headed to the UK.

Rumours have been rife that Cleary might join a club in the UK to be closer to Fowler, with nothing left for the superstar halfback to achieve in Australia. Earlier this year, the 26-year-old admitted he was open to playing in the Super League one day, and it makes complete sense if he wants to spend more time with his Manchester-based girlfriend.

Fletcher and Cleary’s agent George Mimis have both dismissed the speculation in recent times, but Cleary previously said: "Yes, I'm not against it. I have a pretty open mind to that kind of stuff. I think just being able to experience different cultures and different experiences is something I enjoy doing. I'm not closed off to that idea."

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Nathan Cleary's overseas trip might raise a few eyebrows

Cleary wasn't picked in Mal Meninga's Kangaroos squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships, with Australia's first game on October 18. It was thought he would head in for immediate surgery on the shoulder issue that has plagued him for most of the season.

But the fact he won't get the surgery done for a couple of weeks might raise eyebrows at NRL headquarters. It's completely understandable that Cleary won't be playing for the Kangaroos due to his shoulder injury. But should he be on an overseas holiday while Australia are playing without him?

It might not sit well with Kalyn Ponga considering he was forced to backflip on his decision to make himself unavailable for the Kangaroos due to fears of burnout. Ponga eventually declared he was available to play, only for Meninga to overlook him for selection anyway. There's no suggestion Cleary should be forced to play through his injury for the Kangaroos, but some might feel it's a bad look to be heading overseas after making himself unavailable to play.