Nathan Cleary plays a starring role in Penrith's grand final battle with ...

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Nathan Cleary
 New footy fans are tuning in to watch 'Mary Fowler's boyfriend' The Panthers playmaker is without his partner in the stadium Nathan Cleary is trying to win his fourth premiership in a row

By James Cooney For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 11:10 BST, 6 October 2024 | Updated: 23:11 BST, 6 October 2024

Nathan Cleary has made history on Sunday night in the NRL Grand Final with the Penrith Panthers defeating the Melbourne Storm - but many fans can't stop talking about Mary Fowler.

Cleary, 26, was instrumental in Sunday night's battle, with the Panthers winning 14-6 and taking their dynasty to new heights.

The Penrith playmaker did not have his partner Mary Fowler in the stadium supporting him because of her commitments to Manchester City, but plenty of fans tuned in because of her.

'Tuning in to see what mary fowler's boyfriend is up to,' posted one fan on X.

'My 13yr old daughter becoming an NRL fan isn’t something I anticipated. Turns out Nathan Cleary goes out with Mary Fowler and its closer and more exciting than AFL apparently,' posted another.

'Watching and rooting for mary fowler’s boyfriend,' posted a third.

'Roosters aren't in the final and i barely care about nrl regardless so nobody, however i want mary fowler to be happy so i guess penrith,' posted another.

Fans didn't let up after full-time, either.

'Shoutout Mary Fowler’s partner on another premiership win,' posted one fan.

'Good day to be a Mary Fowler fan,' said another.

Ahead of Sunday's Grand Final, Cleary was pressed on whether Fowler would be flying back to cheer him on in Sunday's showpiece event, and the Panthers' superstar couldn't help but crack a smile at the question.

Many footy fans are tuning in to the NRL final to support 'Mary Fowler's boyfriend'

The Panthers halfback is looking to claim his fourth premiership with Penrith

Cleary told reporters: 'She is not coming. Her season just started over in England. I think she will be watching, but she won't be there.'

City are next in action at home to West Ham on Sunday. But their match will not kick off until 11pm (AEDT), with the Grand Final getting underway at 7.30pm (AEDT).

It means there is a big chance the City women's star will miss a big chunk of the match, as she prepares for the WSL clash.

It had been reported that Cleary was considering a shock move to the Super League and join his girlfriend in the UK but this speculation has since been rubbished by Penrith chiefs, who maintain he has not expressed a desire to leave.

Mail Sport exclusively revealed that Cleary and Fowler were dating last November and have recently been enjoying spending some time together after the City star returned back to Australia after the Matildas were knocked out of the Paris Olympics.

Panthers winger Brian To'o has previously teased that the pair are 'engaged' during a cheeky post-match interview. 

'They are just chilling on the side everyone is going crazy. They are pretty much here for Nathan and Mary so congrats to them, I think they got engaged,' he joked.

'Congrats to them.'

Cleary has opened up on the impact the City star has had on his life, revealing that their relationship has 'added a new perspective' to his life as he hailed Fowler for being 'super supportive'.

The pair have been dating since last November and their blossoming relationship has been in the spotlight

'I've loved it, it's all I ever could have dreamed of in having a partner, to be honest,' he said to Channel Nine's Marlee and Me podcast.

'It's just added new perspective but it's also added an extra layer there that when things are going good you want to share with them and want to talk about it and when things aren't going good, they're there too.

'Super supportive and I've absolutely loved it. It's just a great addition to life, to be honest, and made me really happy. Love wins.'

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