Penrith boss Brian Fletcher has spoken out on tongue-in-cheek proposals that the Panthers could try to lure Mary Fowler back to Australia.
Fowler is currently dating Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary, who traveled to the UK, following his team’s NRL Grand Final victory last weekend, to spend some time with the Manchester City superstar.
But fears have grown that the NRL superstar, who has played a pivotal role in helping his team to four straight premiership wins, may be tempted to move to the UK to be closer to Fowler.
Last week, football fans responded online to Penrith CEO Fletcher after he appeared to claim the club could be working on an audacious plan to lure Fowler, 21, back to Australia, to keep Cleary at the club for longer.
‘Last year on the radio I said that if we win in ’23, we will definitely win in ’24 and ’25. So don’t be afraid of next year,’ Fletcher had said.
Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has clarified comments he made last week about trying to lure Mary Fowler back to Australia.
Fowler is currently dating Penrith star Nathan Cleary and speculation has arisen that the premiership-winning halfback could move to the UK to join Fowler.
Cleary, however, poured cold water on those rumors last night during an interview at the Super League Grand Final.
‘We also have the 26th and 27th left. And the reason I say that is because Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary are signed until the end of the 27th.
“It is my job and that of chief football executive Matt Cameron to extend this as much as we can.” Fletcher then added, wryly: “Matt’s job is to bring Mary back to Australia.”
Fowler, who has been impressing with City’s women’s team, is unlikely to return to Australia. Cleary also poured cold water on his move to a team in Europe on Saturday night, after the pair were seen watching the Super League Grand Final together at Old Trafford.
Some fans also questioned Fletcher’s comment on social media, claiming they were “delusional.”
‘LOOOOOL! Imagine thinking that Mary Fowler would leave the WSL in England to return to Penrith just to sit in the W-League… @PenrithPanthers are beyond delusional about this,” wrote one on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite that, Penrith’s chief executive clarified the comments.
“It was joyful,” Fletcher said on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast Weekend.
Fans took to social media to respond to the Penrith CEO’s comments last week, calling them “delusional”.
Fowler has been impressive for Manchester City’s women’s team this season and could feature in their WSL clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
“We’ve got Nathan and Ivan signed up until the end of the 27th and it’s our job, or my job, to try to extend it as long as we can to keep them both in the foothills until their rugby league.” The days are over.
“It would take a lot of speculation if she (Fowler) returned home, but that’s between her and Nathan and we don’t interfere in those matters.”
Speculation has arisen that Cleary could be tempted by a move to the UK, with league great Matty Johns also expressing fears that the running back could be poached by a union team in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Meanwhile, Cleary said he would not be moving to the UK any time soon.
“My only fear with Nathan is that going to England will put him in the spotlight or basically be right in the backyard of these big French and European rugby clubs,” Johns said on his SEN show Morning Glory with Matty Johns on Friday. . .
‘And there would be a temptation (to poach him). “Some of them (rugby clubs) would probably look to make an offer sooner rather than later, that’s the only thing I would worry about.”
Meanwhile, Fowler has two goals in six appearances in all competitions for Man City’s women’s team this season and starred in their 2-0 Women’s Champions League win against Barcelona in midweek.
The Matildas star is also likely to be back in action on Sunday night for Gareth Taylor’s side when they take on Liverpool in the Women’s Super League at Anfield.
Meanwhile, Cleary dismissed any rumors that he could move to the northern hemisphere any time soon after being pressed about his future during an interview with Sky Sports.
Fletcher had previously said luring Fowler to Australia permanently would help keep Nathan Cleary at the club.
“To be honest, not in the short term,” Cleary told the broadcaster during an interview at half-time of the Super League Grand Final. ‘I’ve seen all the rumours. But come here and watch her (Mary) play, which is nice and take a break.
“But we’re not moving here anytime soon.”