Mary Fowler skips Matildas games to be with injured NRL star Nathan Cleary
Cleary's post thanking Fowler drew 125,000 likes in less than 10 hours.
Mary Fowler, of the Matildas women's football team, pulled out of games against Germany and Haiti in Europe. Football Australia said the reason was 'personal circumstances'.
Mary Fowler had flown to Sydney to be with Cleary after his two leg operations. Cleary needed emergency surgery on a career-threatening broken leg after the Panthers' preliminary final loss in late September.
Days later, Cleary returned to hospital to fix a broken foot on his other leg. Cleary's post thanking her drew 125,000 likes in less than 10 hours.
Cleary wrote that she had flown 'to the other side of the world' to look after him. Matildas coach Joe Montemurro backed Fowler's decision as the right one.
- 28
- Cleary's age
- 23
- Fowler's age
- 125,000 likes in under 10 hours
- Post likes
- Lost 4-2 to world No.3 Germany
- Germany result
Why it mattersPlayers opting out for personal reasons is not rare, given intense club and national schedules.
AustraliaFowler appears likely to return for Matildas games against Colombia in Canberra on November 28.
Corroborated by7news.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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