Matildas star Mary Fowler has revealed how her relationship with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary kicked-off – and who made the first move.

Fowler, 22, spoke to retired footy player Keegan Hipgrave about the couple’s blossoming romance, with Channel 9’s Today releasing a snippet of the interview on Wednesday morning.

The full interview will be available on the Keegan and Company podcast later this week.

‘I only (really) went because he was going….(on the day) we both wanted to speak to each other….but we were both so shy.

‘We starting talking after that….and he (Cleary) made the first move.’

It comes as Cleary revealed he has managed to convince his girlfriend to support the NSW Blues ahead of the Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.

Fowler was born in Cairns, in far north Queensland.

Matildas star Mary Fowler has revealed how her relationship with NRL superstar Nathan Cleary kicked-off – and who made the first move

Fowler spoke to retired footy player Keegan Hipgrave about the couple’s blossoming romance, with Channel 9’s Today releasing a snippet of the interview on Wednesday

According to the NSW halfback, Fowler is currently unable to travel home due to her recent ACL injury. 

‘I don’t think so,’ Cleary said when pressed on whether Fowler would be able to make any of the three Origin games this year.

He then revealed the footy star should have returned last week, following the conclusion of the Women’s Super League season in England.

‘It’s pretty unfortunate because she was meant to be back last week, so she would have been able to come to the game,’ he said.

‘But, yeah, she’s sort of attacking her rehab at the moment and hopefully she can get back at some stage, but nothing is confirmed yet.’

Following that Adidas store commitment in 2023, the pair have become Australia’s sporting power couple, with their relationship long distance.

Despite the 17,000km distance between Sydney and Manchester – plus the time difference, Cleary has opened up on how he’s been supporting Fowler through her injury setback.

Mary Fowler (right, pictured with Courtney Nevin) has made a bombshell move to switch allegiances from Queensland to New South Wales ahead of State of Origin

Fowler is currently recovering after undergoing a ruptured ACL and was seen using a wheel chair when she recently visited Chester Zoo 

Over the past month, Cleary has paid multiple nods to his girlfriend, subtly posing for a picture in one of Fowler’s Matildas shirts, after her injury 

Fowler had reciprocated the move last year when Cleary led the Panthers to their fourth-straight premiership title, donning a Penrith jersey prior to turning out for Manchester City 

The Manchester City star ruptured her ACL in April during Manchester City’s Women’s FA Cup defeat by Manchester United

‘I’ve just been trying to be by her side in spirit, obviously, not physically, which is tough, you know, because it is a lonely time for her, having to go through this rehab period,’ he said.

‘But I’m so proud of the way she’s attacked it and she’s very strong-minded and I’m very proud of her and just trying to be by her side (through it).’

Despite the injury, Fowler is keeping a positive mindset.

She has published several snaps of her recovery journey online, including a video of her visiting Chester Zoo this weekend.

Fowler, who has been on crutches in recent weeks, was seen using a wheelchair as she and fellow Matildas star Courtney Nevin enjoyed a day out.

They stopped to check out the penguins, elephants and enjoy a coffee.

The couple make sure to keep their relationship strong by sharing their lives with each other via messages, Facetime chats and quirky in-jokes, like Fowler recently revealing that she likes to eat donuts and send her reviews to Cleary.