Nathan Cleary’s season may hang by the thread of his damaged left shoulder, but the Penrith Panthers superstar has found a reason to smile after girlfriend Mary Fowler rushed to his aid this week.
Cleary injured the joint against Melbourne on Thursday and faced initial fears he would require surgery and would be out for the rest of the year.
However scans cleared him of needing immediate surgery and he could now return for the NRL finals in September as the Panthers chase a record fourth consecutive NRL title.
Despite another frustrating injury setback after spending two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury already this season, Cleary was all smiles as he enjoyed time with girlfriend Fowler in the Blue Mountains on Saturday.
The sporty couple enjoyed breakfast at a local café then explored the Glenbrook Rotary Markets where Nathan sampled a scented candle as the couple looked relaxed and happy.
Mary Fowler pictured with Nathan Cleary out and about in Glenbrook at the local markets
Cleary was spotted smelling the scented candles and smiling as he enjoyed time with his girlfriend Fowler
Fowler is back in Australia after the Matildas disappointing campaign at the Paris Olympics
Fowler is back in Australia after the Matildas’ disappointing Paris Olympics campaign, where the Aussies failed to reach the knockout rounds despite a brave performance against the United States in their final group state match.
Man City will play in Australia for the first time in a pre-season tournament from August 21 to September 2 against Paris Saint Germain and fellow Barclays Women’s Super League sides West Ham United and Leicester City.
Man City will play in Australia for the first time in a pre-season tournament from August 21 to September 2 against Paris Saint Germain and fellow Barclays Women’s Super League sides West Ham United and Leicester City.
The WSL season kicks off back in the UK on September 22.
Penrith expect to have Nathan Cleary back from his shoulder injury for the NRL finals in a major boost to their push for a fourth consecutive premiership.
The triple reigning premiers held their breath as Cleary underwent scans after falling awkwardly during the second half of the Panthers’ 24-22 loss to Melbourne on Thursday night.
Fowler wore a crop top showing her toned figure as she prepares for the upcoming Women’s Super League season in the UK
Cleary is hoping to return for the NRL finals after suffering another injury setback
The Panthers halfback could not stop beaming as he wandered the markets with Fowler
A frustrated Cleary came from the field as the final 10 minutes approached at BlueBet Stadium, with father and coach Ivan Cleary admitting he was ‘concerned’ about the injury.
The 26-year-old is likely to require surgery on his left shoulder in the off-season, but the Panthers now expect he will return after the final three weeks of the regular season.
Both Fowler and Cleary are no strangers to the challenges of injuries and the road to recovery.
Fowler has dealt with recurring back and foot issues throughout her young career, while Cleary has a more extensive history with injuries.
Thankfully, his most recent setback involves the opposite shoulder from the one he injured in 2021.
Mary and Nathan began dating towards the end of last year, with their relationship being first reported by Daily Mail Australia.
The loved up couple might live on opposite sides of the world but they find a way to make it work
Their paths will soon part as Cleary prepares for the NRL finals and Fowler suits up for Manchester City in a pre-season tournament in Perth
The initial report featured photos of Mary leaning her head on Nathan’s chest while they enjoyed a quiet moment together in a Perth park before one of her Matildas matches.
The couple made their relationship public in October in Perth and later confirmed their romance on Instagram in January.
In May, Nathan, the star halfback for NSW, was sidelined with a grade two hamstring injury, which ruled him out of the State of Origin series for eight weeks.
During his recovery, Nathan and Mary, 21, took the opportunity to spend some quality time together on a romantic getaway.
Both athletes keep their relationship quite private. Nathan has acknowledged that the attention on his personal life has been unexpected.
‘Obviously it’s different from when I was young coming into first grade and people are dissecting my game. I hadn’t had that before,’ he shared earlier this year.
Through five years of premiership dominance, the Panthers have become accustomed to losing Cleary for large portions of each regular season.
The long-term right shoulder injury rubbed him out on the run to the 2021 finals series and he faced a five-game ban for a horror spear tackle on Dylan Brown late in 2022
Hamstring injuries have also conspired against Cleary this year but Penrith have still won seven of 11 games without him.