Panthers boss speaks out to clarify comments made about Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler, after fans called the claim ‘delusional’

Penrith boss Brian Fletcher has spoken out on tongue-in-cheek proposals that the Panthers could attempt to lure Mary Fowler back to Australia.

Fowler is currently dating Penrith superstar Nathan Cleary, who has travelled to the United Kingdom, following his side’s NRL Grand Final victory last weekend to spend some time with the Manchester City superstar.

But fears have been mounting that the NRL superstar, who has played a pivotal role in helping his side clinch four successive premiership wins, could be tempted by a move to the United Kingdom to be closer to Fowler.

Last week, footy fans hit back at the Penrith CEO Fletcher online after he appeared to claim that the club could be working on a bold plan to lure Fowler, 21, back to Australia, to keep Cleary at the club for longer.

‘Last year on radio I said if we win in ’23, we’ll definitely win in ’24 and ’25. So don’t be afraid of next year,’ Fletcher had said.

Fowler is currently dating Penrith star Nathan Cleary and speculation had arisen that the premiership winning halfback could move to the UK to join Fowler

Cleary, though, poured cold water on those rumours last night during an interview at the Super League Grand final 

‘We’ve also got ’26 and ’27 to go. And why I say that is, Ivan Cleary and Nathan Cleary are signed until the end of ’27.

‘It’s my job and the CEO of football, Matt Cameron, to extend that as far as we can.’ Fletcher then added, tongue-in-cheek: ‘Matt’s job is he’s got to bring Mary back to Australia.’

It is unlikely that Fowler, who has been impressing for City’s women’s side, will move back to Australia. Cleary also poured cold water on a move to a team in Europe on Saturday night, after the pair were spotted watching the Super League Grand Final together at Old Trafford.

Some fans had also questioned Fletcher’s comment on social media, claiming that they were ‘delusional’.

‘LOOOOOOL! Imagine thinking that Mary Fowler would leave the WSL in England to move back to Penrith just to sit in the W-League… @PenrithPanthers are beyond delusional with this one,’ one wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Despite that, the Penrith CEO has since clarified the comments.

‘It was light-hearted,’ Fletcher said on Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast Weekend.

Fans took to social media to hit back at the Penrith CEO’s comments last week calling them ‘delusional’

Fowler has been imrpessing for Manchester City’s Women’s side this season and could feature in their WSL clash against Liverpool on Sunday

‘We’ve got Nathan and Ivan signed up till the end of ’27 and it’s our job – or my job – to try to extend that out as far as we can to keep them both at the foot of the mountains until their rugby league days are over.

‘It’d take a lot of speculation out of it if she (Fowler) did come 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 United Kingdom, with league great Matty Johns also expressing fears that the halfback could be poached by a union side in one of Europe’s top leagues.

Cleary, meanwhile, said that he would not be moving to the United Kingdom any time soon

‘My only fear with Nathan is him going to England puts him pretty much in the spotlight or basically he’s right in the backyard of these big French rugby clubs and European rugby clubs,’ Johns said on his SEN program Morning Glory with Matty Johns on Friday.

‘And there would be a temptation there (to poach him). Some of them (rugby clubs) would probably look to make a bid sooner rather than later, that’s the only thing that would concern me.’

Fowler, meanwhile, has two goals in six appearances in all competitions for Man City Women’s side this season and starred during their 2-0 Women’s Champions League victory against Barcelona in midweek.

The Matildas star is also likely to be in action again on Sunday night for Gareth Taylor’s side as they take on Liverpool in the Women’s Super League at Anfield.

Cleary, meanwhile, has dismissed any talk that he could be moving to the northern hemisphere any time soon after being pressed on his future during an interview with Sky Sports.

Fletcher had previously said luring Fowler to Australia on a permanent basis would help keep Nathan Cleary at the club

‘Not any time soon, to be honest,’ Cleary told the broadcaster during a half-time interview at the Super League Grand Final. ‘I’ve seen all the rumours. But get to come over here and see her [Mary] play, which is nice and have a break.

‘But won’t be moving over here anytime soon.’