Why this photo proves Nathan Cleary has taken his romance with Mary Fowler to another level

Nathan Cleary‘s relationship with Mary Fowler has reached a turning point if a photo of the NRL superstar supporting his girlfriend in Europe is anything to go by.

The Penrith premiership-winner has been catching up with the Manchester City star in England and on the continent after winning this year’s grand final with the Panthers, with the couple sharing photos of their moments together.

Now Fowler’s Matildas teammate Katrina Gorry has revealed a photo of Cleary holding her daughter Harper during the Aussies’ recent win over Germany. 

It’s the first proof that the 26-year-old is spending time with his partner’s great mates in the national team in what is a big step forward in their relationship.

One fan who commented on Gorry’s Instagram post summed up the development by writing: ‘Nice that Nathan is getting involved in the Tillies family. He needs to get the tick from the family before he gets serious with Fowler. Looks like he’s well on the way there!’

Another wrote, ‘Never expected to see a photo of Nathan Cleary holding Harper. Yet here we are!’

Cleary and Fowler have been spotted together in Manchester on his post-premiership holiday, with the pair sharing photos of their travels and the NRL star also joining her at the Matildas’ match against Switzerland last week.

The pair had first been seen in Europe a week after had trumped the Melbourne Storm to take a fourth straight NRL title. 

One Matildas fan summed the situation up nicely with this comment on Gorry’s Instagram post

The Penrith star has been spending time with Fowler (pictured together) in Europe after winning his fourth straight NRL grand final

They were pictured at Old Trafford watching the Super League Grand Final as Wigan claimed victory over Hull Kingston Rovers.

During half-time, Cleary was invited pitchside for an interview with Sky Sports Rugby League, where he refused to totally rule out rumours linking him to a move to play in Europe so that he could be closer to Fowler.

‘Not any time soon, to be honest,’ Cleary said when asked about speculation linking him to Super League sides and a potential code switch to play union in the northern hemisphere.

‘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 [I] won’t be moving over here anytime soon.’

He posted a couple of snaps of himself and Fowler taking a hike along the coastline and visiting a quaint town.

Fowler also took to Instagram to poke fun at Cleary after she took a picture of him peering through a camera with the lens still on the shutter.

Reacting to his Instagram post on Monday, Fowler wrote in the comments: ‘There’s my favourite model’ adding a camera emoji, a ‘heart face’ emoji and a fire emoji.

The couple were seen at the Super League grand final shortly after Nathan arrived in Manchester to be with his girlfriend

Fowler is pictured in action against Germany on Monday, with Cleary cheering her on from the stands alongside some of her teammates

One of Cleary’s Penrith team-mates Brian To’o also reacted to his post, writing ‘Ahhh love always wins’ with a heart emoji.

Fowler has made no secret of her desire to have a family one day, and Cleary gave a telling one-word answer when he was asked about settling down and having kids in a recent appearance on Mark Bouris’s podcast with his father and coach, Ivan.

The halfback was discussing his investment in a Sydney brewery with two Aussie UFC stars when he was questioned about setting himself up for life after footy.

‘I’ve been thinking about it more, particularly this year with injuries, I’ve had a lot of time to myself to think,’ Cleary replied.

‘You just think it’s going to go forever and then you have a few injuries and you’re out of the game.

‘You sort of realise this isn’t going to last forever.’

‘Having a girl you’re interested in too, you’re probably starting to have thoughts like, for one day, I’ve got to keep the Cleary name going,’ Bouris said.

‘Absolutely,’ Cleary replied emphatically.

‘Have maybe just one kid, just sport out of it all,’ Bouris said as they both laughed.

‘It could be a soccer player,’ Cleary laughed.