Penrith Panthers star Brian To’o recently made a lighthearted comment about teammate Nathan Cleary and his girlfriend, Matildas soccer player Mary Fowler, stirring speculation about their relationship. During an interview after the Panthers’ 18-12 victory over the Titans, To’o joked that Cleary and Fowler were now engaged, continuing his playful remarks about the couple. This isn’t the first time To’o has made such comments, as he’s humorously hinted at the progression of their relationship on previous occasions.
Cleary, who has been sidelined due to a shoulder injury, attended the match, and his presence seemed to excite the crowd. When Fox Sports host Yvonne Sampson asked To’o about the loud cheers from Panthers fans, he attributed the excitement to Cleary and Fowler, cheekily mentioning their supposed engagement. Fowler had returned to Australia after the Matildas’ disappointing Olympic campaign in Paris, where they failed to advance to the knockout rounds despite a valiant effort against the U.S. in their final group stage match.
The relationship between Cleary and Fowler has been public since late last year, with the Daily Mail Australia first reporting on their romance. Although this playful engagement announcement has not been confirmed, it has sparked interest in the couple once again.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are preparing for the upcoming finals, with hopes that Cleary will return from his injury in time for their qualifying final against the Sydney Roosters. Coach Ivan Cleary expressed optimism about his son’s return, although Nathan still needs to clear a few health hurdles before being fully fit for the game, which is expected to take place on Friday night at Penrith Park. However, the team can’t rely solely on their star halfback to address their recent performance issues.
Penrith struggled during the game against the 14th-placed Titans, committing 15 errors and trailing 6-4 at halftime. Despite this, they managed to secure the win, but it was a far from convincing performance. The Panthers appeared fatigued and prone to mistakes, raising concerns about their form as they head into the finals.
Despite these challenges, Penrith remains a formidable force, as they are the reigning triple premiers and will host the Roosters, who haven’t beaten them since 2019. Coach Cleary remained calm following the shaky performance, emphasizing that the primary goal was to win the game, which they accomplished. He also noted that while the team’s defense has improved in recent weeks, their attack needs to catch up for a more balanced performance. If they can synchronize both aspects, Cleary believes the Panthers will be difficult to beat in the finals.
In short, Brian To’o’s cheeky comment about Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler’s relationship has added a fun layer of intrigue, while the Panthers continue to focus on their upcoming finals despite recent on-field struggles.
