- Panthers running back delayed surgery to travel to UK to be with Fowler
- He is back in Australia and has shared an update on the injured joint.
- Fowler has revealed another ability he has, which Cleary has also tested.
Penrith Panthers fans can rejoice, captain Nathan Cleary is 100 per cent ready for Round 1 of the NRL season in Las Vegas despite delaying shoulder surgery to be with girlfriend Mary Fowler.
After helping lead the Panthers to a fourth consecutive NRL premiership in October, Cleary returned to Australia to undergo surgery and shared an update with his followers.
Cleary posted an image from his hospital bed, fresh out of surgery, showing his arm in a sling, the bandage for the keyhole operation and the red dye used by the surgeon to help with the visibility of the tissue surrounding the joint.
The Panthers playmaker was due to undergo surgery after the NRL grand final, ruling him out of the Pacific Championship with Australia, but decided to delay the procedure to travel to the UK and Europe on holiday with Fowler.
Penrith Panthers running back Nathan Cleary posted this update after undergoing shoulder surgery
Cleary decided to delay surgery to spend time with his girlfriend Mary Fowler in the UK and Europe during the NRL off-season.
Respected physiotherapist Brian Seeney, also known as The NRL Physio on social media, said the surgery would drastically limit Cleary’s chances of dislocating his shoulder again.
“Nathan Cleary will undergo latarjet shoulder reconstruction next week, which involves taking a bone graft from the front of the shoulder blade and attaching it to the joint to ‘deepen’ the socket (to improve stability),” he posted before the surgery. .
‘The risk of new dislocation is very low (
Seeney also posted that the typical recovery period for this type of shoulder surgery is four months, putting Cleary in the frame for selection for the Panther Round 1 NRL clash in Las Vegas next year.
Cleary and Fowler painted these portraits of each other, which the Matildas star shared on social media.
Fowler is also a budding photographer and shared some candid snaps of Cleary from their time together.
Fowler is now busy playing for Manchester City and the Matildas, while Cleary faces a four-month recovery period from his surgery.
Meanwhile, Fowler has shared more photos of their time together in the NRL off-season, including portraits they painted of each other.
‘Feel blessed. Grateful for this life,” Fowler posted.
‘Aren’t you so happy you found an artistic boyfriend?’ Cleary responded in the post.
Fans praised Fowler for her boyfriend’s artwork and said Cleary deserved credit for trying.
‘Mary, you got Nathan’s portrait. What a talented lady. 10/10, we can give Nathan a 9/10,’ posted one.
Fowler also posted images of the couple enjoying time on the beach and walking together along with the inspirational quote: “Don’t waste the moment looking for another.”
Cleary and Fowler have been dating since late 2023, as revealed exclusively by Daily Mail Australia.
Their romance began after meeting at a mutual sponsor event and the pair were seen meeting for ice cream and walking along the Nepean River in Penrith together.
The Panthers playmaker then traveled across the country to support Fowler when the Matildas were in town and their love has blossomed ever since.