Nathan Cleary, the Penrith Panthers’ star halfback, is in a race against time to be fit for the club’s 2024 season opener in Las Vegas after undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this month. The recovery time for the surgery is typically between 12 and 16 weeks, with the Panthers’ first game against Cronulla scheduled for 16 weeks post-operation, meaning Cleary could potentially be back in time.
Cleary, who has been central to Penrith’s dominance with four straight NRL premierships, didn’t undergo surgery immediately after the grand final. Instead, he took a well-deserved holiday in Europe with his girlfriend, Matildas star Mary Fowler, who plays for Manchester City and spends much of the year in the UK. The delay in surgery was officially explained by the Panthers as a result of their preferred surgeon being unavailable at the time, which meant the operation took place about a month after the grand final.
This decision has fueled speculation, with some suggesting Cleary might have chosen to delay the surgery to maximize his time with Fowler, a theory that was indirectly addressed by his father and coach, Ivan Cleary. When asked if Nathan could have had the surgery sooner, Ivan confirmed the surgeon’s availability issue but added, “I’ve never seen him so happy, and that’s important as well,” hinting that Nathan’s well-being and happiness were also factors in the decision.
The couple has been posting cheerful photos from their European trip, and their growing relationship has sparked talk about Cleary possibly moving to the English Super League in the future to be closer to Fowler. Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher also acknowledged the challenge of keeping Nathan at the club long-term, commenting that it might be Fowler who moves to Australia to be with him, which drew some criticism for underestimating her own stature in the women’s football world. Fletcher later clarified his remarks, emphasizing that Penrith’s priority is keeping both Nathan and Ivan Cleary at the club for as long as possible.
For now, Cleary’s focus will be on his recovery, with the hope that he can make a full return in time for the 2024 NRL season, while his personal life continues to make headlines as his relationship with Fowler evolves.
Leave a Reply