Matildas midfielder Mary Fowler has reportedly travelled back to Australia to support her injured partner, Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary, after her unexpected withdrawal from the national team drew criticism from senior Football Australia figures.
Fowler, 23, will not feature in Australia’s upcoming friendly matches against Germany and Haiti. Football Australia explained that her absence was due to “personal circumstances”, without publicly revealing further details.
The Western Weekender’s Nathan Taylor reported that Fowler was back in the country after spotting her at the Panthers’ presentation night on Tuesday.
“Confirmed. Mary Fowler is back in Australia, at home with her injured partner Nathan Cleary,” Taylor said.
Neither Fowler nor Football Australia has confirmed that Cleary’s condition was directly responsible for the Manchester City star’s decision to leave the Matildas camp.
Cleary faces an extended period on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on injuries to both legs following Penrith’s preliminary-final loss to Newcastle.
The representative halfback fractured his left fibula and dislocated his ankle during a tackle from Newcastle’s Phoenix Crossland on September 27. He required emergency surgery soon after the incident.
Doctors later performed a second procedure to address a stress fracture in Cleary’s right foot, an injury he had reportedly been managing before the match.
Mary Fowler has reportedly returned home to support Nathan Cleary during his recovery from surgery on both legs
Nathan Cleary required another operation to treat a stress fracture in his right foot
Reports suggest senior Football Australia figures were unhappy with the way Fowler’s withdrawal was communicated
The Matildas have not said whether Cleary’s injuries influenced Fowler’s decision to miss the upcoming international fixtures
Subsequent updates confirmed that Cleary’s left tibia was not fractured, correcting early reports that suggested both bones in his lower leg had been broken.
Fowler’s last-minute departure reportedly surprised several of her Matildas teammates and frustrated senior Football Australia personnel, who were said to be unhappy with the timing and handling of the announcement.
Football Australia said the decision was reached after discussions involving Fowler, Manchester City and Matildas staff.
Yet reports indicate that some senior officials did not learn about the decision until Tuesday morning, when they saw the statement issued at 6.30am AEDT.
Sources who were not authorised to speak publicly told Nine that the officials were “unimpressed” by the way the news had been communicated.
Matildas winger Hayley Raso also revealed on Tuesday that she had not spoken with Fowler before being asked about the withdrawal.
“I haven’t spoken to Mary. I only just found out the news myself,” Raso said.
“Mary is obviously a hugely important player for our team, so it is disappointing that she is not here at camp. But she needs to look after her personal circumstances.”
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Cleary thanked Fowler for making him feel ‘supported and loved’ during his Dally M Medal acceptance speech
The Panthers halfback required emergency surgery after suffering a fractured fibula and dislocated left ankle
Fowler had made her 100th appearance for Manchester City a day earlier, coming off the bench in a 4-2 victory over Arsenal.
She did not appear to suffer an injury during the match.
Her absence is a setback for coach Joe Montemurro as he prepares the Matildas for next year’s World Cup, with Fowler’s role in his starting side still to be settled.
Australia face Germany in Karlsruhe on October 10 before meeting Haiti in Chambly, France, on October 14.
‘There’s not that many camps or matches before the World Cup, so every one is so important,’ Raso said.
‘Having a game against a top side like Germany is really important.’
Cleary paid an emotional tribute to Fowler while accepting the Dally M Medal last week.
‘I also want to say a big thanks to my partner,’ he said.
Fowler made her 100th Manchester City appearance shortly before her international withdrawal was announced
‘It’s tough doing the long distance, but she always makes me feel supported and loved, and that’s all I’ve ever asked for, and she’s just amazing.’
Fans were quick to connect Fowler’s withdrawal with her boyfriend’s recovery, while many defended her decision to step away from international duty.
‘A side quest to Penrith on the cards?’ one social media user wrote.
‘Thank you Mary, we appreciate you. That will make a huge difference for Nath in his recovery,’ another commented.
‘Omg, maybe she just wants to spend some time with her partner,’ one wrote.
A third added: ‘Mary has been playing since she was 15. A well-earned rest with her man is just what’s called for.’
Fowler previously withdrew from Matildas fixtures against Brazil and Chinese Taipei in November 2024, explaining that she needed time to recharge physically and mentally.
‘Playing for the national team is something that I never take for granted,’ she said at the time.
‘I have, however, through past experiences, come to realise that my mind and my body are also things that I should also never take for granted.’