He has joked about son Nathan being Mary Fowler‘s ‘male version of a WAG’ – but now Penrith coach Ivan Cleary has made a heartwarming statement revealing the effect of the romance on the NRL superstar.
Nathan and the Matildas star went public with their romance about a year ago and are going from strength to strength in their relationship, with Mary recently posting a touching ‘I love you’ message to her man after the pair shared some time together in England and Europe after the NRL grand final.
The Panthers halfback postponed badly needed shoulder surgery to be with his partner before flying back to have the operation two weeks ago – and Ivan was quizzed about whether his son could have had the procedure done earlier in an interview this week.
The delay has left Nathan facing a tight battle to be fit for his team’s first game of the 2025 season on March 2, and ex-NRL star turned commentator Aaron Woods asked the coach why the playmaker wasn’t rushed back to Australia.
‘I had to have a bit of a heart to heart with him,’ Ivan told Triple M, before revealing the effect Mary has had on his son.
‘The surgeon couldn’t do it [the operation] straight away anyway and to be honest, I’ve never seen him so happy, and that’s important as well.’
Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler are pictured during his recent trip to England to spend time with her after the NRL grand final
The Penrith star’s father Ivan (pictured together after winning the 2024 premiership) has revealed he’s never seen his son so happy after he returned from his time with the Matildas star
Cleary and Fowler have been busy sharing memories of his European holiday on social media as they’re once again separated by 17,000km while she plays for Manchester City.
Most recently, Nathan shared a post captioned ‘Downtime Pt.2’ featuring pics of himself exploring Europe with the Matildas gun and playing darts with her.
He joined Fowler when the Matildas journeyed to Switzerland and Germany for two matches, and they were also sighted in the stands at England’s Super League grand final, where Nathan was interviewed on TV and quizzed about rumours he could switch to the competition to be closer to his partner – or even hop codes to rugby union so he could be in the UK with her.
There have been other signs that the couple’s relationship is anything but a long-distance fling.
Last month, Nathan gave a very telling three-word answer when he was asked about settling down and having a baby with Fowler.
Business guru Mark Bouris asked the star if he was thinking about setting himself up for life after footy on his podcast after Cleary made a high-profile investment in a Sydney brewery with his UFC fighter mates Tai Tuivasa and Tyson Pedro.
‘I’ve been thinking about it more, particularly this year with injuries, I’ve had a lot of time to myself to think,’ Cleary replied.
‘You just think it’s going to go forever and then you have a few injuries and you’re out of the game.
Cleary and his partner have been busy sharing memories of their time together in the UK and Europe, with Fowler sending him a heartfelt three-word message earlier this week
The Penrith coach (pictured after this year’s grand final win) has previously joked that Nathan is Fowler’s ‘male version of a WAG’
‘You sort of realise this isn’t going to last forever.
‘I reckon this is the first year I have probably really thought about post footy and what that looks like for me.
‘It’s been an interesting journey. It’s one that I am excited about.
‘I know it’s a fair way away, well I hope it’s a fair way away yet, but the thing I am excited about is a new passion, something that you can put your time and effort into. We’ll see when we get there.’
Bouris then started talking about the need to think ahead once Cleary had hung up the boots, and added that his romance could change his long-term plans.
‘Having a girl you’re interested in too, you’re probably starting to have thoughts like, for one day, I’ve got to keep the Cleary name going,’ Bouris said.
‘Absolutely,’ Cleary replied emphatically.
‘Have maybe just one kid, just sport out of it all,’ Bouris said as they both laughed.
‘It could be a soccer player,’ Cleary laughed.
‘It could be, why not?’ Bouris replied.
‘I tell you what would be good, if there is a girl or a boy it would be a good kicker. They would be able to kick a ball.’
Ivan Cleary replied: ‘You would like to think so.’
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