Penrith Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary advised to make Super League move

[josie andrews]

Cleary would easily be one of the biggest players to ever play in Super League.

Penrith Panthers' superstar half-back Nathan Cleary has been told to 'follow his heart' and leave the NRL club behind to pursue his relationship with Manchester City star Mary Fowler.

That would see Cleary based in the U.K. and, more interestingly, the Super League competition, with the 27-year-old currently in a long-distance relationship with the Matildas's football talent.

The advice comes from fellow Australian and former Penrith forward Mark 'Spudd' Carroll, who wrote in his column, The Nightly on Monday, that Cleary should join Fowler in the U.K. full-time.

Fowler was in Australia for a Matildas game against South Korea earlier this week, with Carroll believing Cleary had a more 'upbeat demeanour' in his girlfriend's presence before feeling 'equipped' to have a 'word' in the half's ear.

"The great thing about Cleary is he can have his cake and eat it, too," Carroll wrote. "He doesn’t have to quit rugby league to be with the love of his life."

Caroll played one season in Super League for London Broncos in 1998 and believes both the rugby league star and Fowler have discussed the move.

"It would not only be a great love story, but Cleary’s move into uncharted rugby league waters would also capture the hearts of fans in two countries," he added.

It's not the first time in Cleary's career that talk has arisen about a move to Super League – with the likes of Wigan, St Helens, Leeds, and perhaps Warrington set to be put on red alert should it ever come to fruition.

Cleary, under contract at Penrith until the end of 2027, has achieved it all in the NRL. He is a four-time winner of the Grand Final, having been at the heart of the Penrith dynasty that has seen the greater Sydney outfit win four successive premierships – two of which came with Clive Churchill medals.

Elsewhere, Cleary has also won three State of Origin series with New South Wales and was a part of the Australia Kangaroos Test squad that won the Rugby League World Cup back in 2022.

As for a sensational move to England, the NRL wouldn't stand in the way of Cleary, with any move being for compassionate grounds and for genuine family reasons, although all parties would have to agree on the move.


Cleary visited Fowler in the U.K. last autumn and was present for the Super League Grand Final, as close friend Tyrone May featured for Hull KR. He is open to the idea of playing in the competition.

"I’m not against it," Cleary previously said. "I have a pretty open mind about that kind of stuff. I think just being able to experience different cultures and different experiences is something I enjoy doing."

Meanwhile, Penrith's miserable start to the 2025 season continued with a 30-12 defeat to the Dolphins in Brisbane on Thursday. The loss was the Panthers' fifth in a row, adding to defeats against North Queensland Cowboys, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Melbourne Storm, and Sydney Roosters.

They beat Cronulla Sharks in Las Vegas in the NRL opener last month but are now enduring their worst run of form in half a decade, leading many to believe that the club's NRL dynasty is over.

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[moto748]

Why oh why do so-called 'journalists' keep dredging up this daft story?

[Mike]

Maybe if the NRL buy SL and run London, he could see himself there?

[moto748]

Does anyone seriously think "his girl-friend plays in the UK" is any reason at all why arguably the best player in the world should move to a lesser (and much poorer) competition?

[Mike]

Does anyone seriously think "his girl-friend plays in the UK" is any reason at all why arguably the best player in the world should move to a lesser (and much poorer) competition?

I think until you've been in a similar situation, can you really say what you'd do? However, I'm not clear why we want him over here. He'd just be taking the place of potentially the next GB half back based on reputation as far as i can see. He's not been that great against Wigan has he? Not seen any other games. When's the last time the NRL won the WCC?

[Barney841]

Does anyone seriously think "his girl-friend plays in the UK" is any reason at all why arguably the best player in the world should move to a lesser (and much poorer) competition?

I think until you've been in a similar situation, can you really say what you'd do? However, I'm not clear why we want him over here. He'd just be taking the place of potentially the next GB half back based on reputation as far as i can see. He's not been that great against Wigan has he? Not seen any other games. When's the last time the NRL won the WCC?

Mike, Cleary is a class act.
Ok he is wasn’t great against us last year but he can take a game by the scruff of the neck and change it himself.
Just watch him the NRL grand final 2023 when there against Brisbane, one of the best performances I’ve seen from a scrum half.

[fozzie58]

I’d have Cleary in a heartbeat

[Mike]

I’d have Cleary in a heartbeat

And get rid of Smith?

[fozzie58]

I’d have Cleary in a heartbeat

And get rid of Smith?

Yes

[Barney841]

I’d have Cleary in a heartbeat

And get rid of Smith?

So you haven’t seen Cleary much in the NRL Mike?