Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has broken his silence on mounting speculation that his son Nathan could one day leave rugby league behind to be closer to his partner, Matildas star Mary Fowler.
The Penrith coach addressed rumours linking Nathan with a cross-code switch to rugby union or a move overseas, triggered in part by recent commentary from dual-code legend Tim Horan.
Horan floated the idea last week on Stan Sport‘s Rugby Heaven, suggesting the Penrith and NSW Blues playmaker could take up the No.10 jersey in the 15-man game.
With Fowler based in England playing for Manchester City, the idea of Cleary heading abroad has added fuel to the fire.
But when asked about it ahead of Penrith’s clash with the Wests Tigers, Ivan Cleary was clear.
‘Nathan’s here for another two years, so that’s where he’s going to be,’ he told reporters.
‘Nath’s a pretty open-minded kid but that’s down the track maybe, who knows?’
The veteran coach said his son wasn’t the type to be bothered by media talk.
‘He doesn’t read too much media, so I don’t think he’d be too fussed,’ he added.
Asked if Nathan could play No.10 in rugby union, Ivan responded with a grin.
‘I’m sure he could play OK. I don’t think he’s ever played [rugby union],’ he said.
‘He’d just have to avoid all the rucks, just kick and goal kick and he’d go all right.’
The light-hearted comment came amid serious speculation around Nathan’s future in rugby league.
Some pundits, including Mark ‘Spudd’ Carroll, believe Cleary has nothing left to prove in the NRL.
Carroll said on 2GB: ‘It’d be a no-brainer. He’d make defence look like traffic cones.’
Ivan, however, pushed back on the idea his son was seeking a new challenge.
‘I don’t think so at all, not that I’ve ever spoken to him about it,’ he said.
‘Just watching him play every week, he’s always trying to get better and loves what he’s doing.’
‘There’s always a new challenge around the corner.’
Nathan himself hasn’t confirmed any plans to leave Penrith, but he has been open-minded about the future.
‘I’m not against it,’ he said recently when asked about playing overseas.
‘I think just being able to experience different cultures and different experiences is something I enjoy doing.’
That openness has only intensified rumours of a future move to be closer to Fowler.
Their relationship began in August 2023 after meeting at an Adidas event and has since flourished.
Despite the distance, both have spoken about how they’ve made it work.
Mary Fowler said: ‘The hardest part of being in long distance is when something bad does happen you’re not able to be there with the person – I think we both really hate that.’
‘I think it helped that we started off as long distance… that made the transition easier.’
Nathan added: ‘Sometimes you just get home and you want a little cuddle.’
‘But I think it’s helped us connect on more than just a physical level.
‘She makes me happy, and that definitely helps.’
The couple has publicly discussed their future, with Fowler expressing hopes of one day adopting children and living on a farm.
For now, though, Cleary remains focused on his current chapter with the Panthers.
He’s under contract until the end of 2027 and remains one of the game’s most influential players.
