‘She’s back!!!’: Nathan Cleary celebrates as Mary Fowler makes return from injury in timely boost for the Matildas
Nathan Cleary and the rest of Australia celebrated as one as Mary Fowler achieved a major breakthrough in a huge boost for the Matildas ahead of the Asian Cup.
Australia’s Asian Cup hopes received a major boost overnight with superstar Mary Fowler making her long-awaited return from injury in Manchester City’s resounding 5-1 victory over Sam Kerr’s Chelsea.
Fowler hadn’t played since she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in April last year, but is back on deck a month out from the prestigious home event which kicks off on March 1.
Fowler’s partner Nathan Cleary stayed up to watch her come off the bench, with the Panthers great posting a video to his Instagram story with the caption “She’s back!!!”
Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.
Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Cleary had hinted last week she was on track to return very soon after the lengthy injury lay-off.
“She’s going really well,” he told NewsWire.
“With such a long rehab, you don’t want to rush it when it gets to the end. She’s done her due diligence and she’s not far off, so I’m excited for her.”
Fowler’s return comes just weeks before the Matildas take on the Philippines on March 1 in Perth, with the attacking weapon eased back into football after she came on in the 76th minute.
City was already up 5-1 as they moved 11 points clear at the top in the Women’s Super League, with Chelsea’s six-year reign as champions set to end.
Kerr came off the bench for Chelsea but was unable to conjure anything meaningful in attack, but Matildas officials will just be glad to see two of their most important players fit and firing ahead of the Asian Cup.
It had been a challenging recovery period for Fowler after the devastating injury blow, but she was able to enjoy some rare time with Cleary late last year.
The NRL star was in the UK for the rugby league Ashes where he led Australia to a 3-0 series victory, with Cleary posting plenty of updates on social media during his time together with Fowler as well as his trips to Paris, Germany, Nashville, Miami and Queenstown.
The pair have been limited to short catch-ups whenever Fowler and the Matildas are in town given she plays overseas, but this was the first time they actually got to spend proper time together away from the intense Sydney spotlight.
“I was based in Manchester (while with the Kangaroos) because that’s where Mary is. She was training at the time and I didn’t want to leave too often,” he said,
“I got over to America, did a little bit of Europe and got to go to Queenstown where we went hiking when we got back.
“It was probably the first time I had the chance to reflect on where I’m at, where I’ve come from and where I want to go, and it was really nice to spend an extended period of time with Mary.
“I think the nicest thing about it is that it brought a lot of peace which is needed in the off-season.
“The greatest thing being over there is that you don’t really get recognised that much, so that was nice.”
