Penrith boss reveals club’s plan for Mary Fowler as Panthers stars party with fans – and Nathan Cleary takes a cheeky shot at a footy legend
Penrith CEO Brian Fletcher has confirmed the club’s bold ‘plan’ for Matildas star Mary Fowler at the team’s delayed get-together with fans on Wednesday.
As celebrations continue in Sydney’s west following the Panthers’ fourth successive NRL title, Fletcher stated retaining the services of coach Ivan Cleary and his son Nathan is a key priority.
The all-conquering duo are currently under contract until 2027 – but the Penrith boss wants to extend their time at the club.
And luring Fowler – who dates Penrith’s superstar halfback – back to Australia could make the process easier.
‘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 told supporters.
‘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.’
Panthers boss Brian Fletcher has made retaining the services of coach Ivan Cleary and his son Nathan (pictured) beyond 2027 a top priority
It comes after the halfback (right, with teammate Isaah Yeo) helped guide Penrith to a fourth successive NRL premiership on Sunday at Accor Stadium
The Panthers boss said luring Mary Fowler to Australia on a permanent basis would help keep Nathan Cleary at the club
But Matildas fans shouldn’t get their hopes up – Fowler, 21, is highly unlikely to return to Australia given her football career is only just starting abroad in the Women’s Super League.
She is a key figure with Manchester City, and it appears the loved up couple will have to maintain their long-distance relationship.
It comes as Ivan Cleary revealed Nathan will put surgery on hold so he can fly to the UK and spend time with Fowler.
‘He’s heading overseas to see Mary, and then he’ll get it done,’ he said at the club’s awards night on Tuesday.
The playmaker also got under the skin of Parramatta fans when he had a playful dig at Ray Price and Peter Wynn on Instagram over their claims the 1980s Eels team that won three premierships in a row was a superior outfit compared to the four-peat Panthers.
Cleary cheekily posted a curious emoji above a picture of the Eels greats after one of their grand final triumphs at the SCG.
Meanwhile, in a bid to avoid any potential alcohol-fuelled incidents, it has been revealed Panthers officials decided to stage the supporter event at Penrith Stadium three days after the grand final, instead of the day after as has been the case in previous years.
It follows now infamous comments from Api Koroisau before he joined the Tigers from Penrith ahead of the 2023 season.
Mary Fowler is a key figure with Manchester City in the Women’s Super League – and it appears the loved up couple will have to maintain their long-distance relationship
‘The last few years I’ve been (at Penrith) this place has turned into a family for me,’ Koroisau said at the time.
‘So much young talent, and just to go out on a high like that, it’s pretty incredible.
‘And we’ll probably do the same thing at the Tigers,’ he added, before laughing sarcastically.
Koroisau has since ‘won’ wooden spoons the past two seasons with the embattled joint-venture NRL club.
