Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler detail 'confirms' huge relationship reports

New images have surfaced online that seem to dispel any doubts whatsoever that Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler are Australia's newest sporting power couple. Speculation has been swirling for weeks that the NRL star and Matildas forward are dating, having been originally pictured together on a walk in Sydney during the FIFA Women's World Cup, and also spotted sharing an ice cream.

The rumour mill went into overdrive on Sunday when Cleary was spotted in Perth for the Matildas' 8-0 thumping of the Philippines in their Olympic Games qualifier. Penrith's three-time premiership winner was snapped in a photo with fans as he made his way into Optus Stadium to watch Fowler and co. in action.

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Cleary's attendance fuelled the ongoing rumours that he's in a relationship with Fowler, following an image of the two that emerged in September showing Cleary on a walk with Fowler. It was reportedly taken one day after the Matildas' win over Denmark in the round of 16 at the Women's World Cup. The pair were also seen enjoying an ice cream together after taking part in a photo shoot for Adidas.

Cleary's camp has previously tried to squash any speculation of a budding romance, with the NRL star describing the constant speculation as "annoying" and insisting he wanted to keep his personal life private. However, images shared by The Daily Mail on Wednesday have all but confirmed their relationship status after showing the pair holding hands and cuddling up to one another at a park in Perth.

Fowler had reportedly met up for the brief rendezvous with Cleary after leaving the Matildas team hotel on Wednesday morning. The 20-year-old Manchester City forward was spotted laughing and joking with the Panthers superstar as the pair threw empty water bottles to one another.

At one point Cleary took off his t-shirt to soak in the sunshine, before cuddling up to Fowler as the two lay on the grass together. The pair held hands briefly before having a quick chat in Cleary's car, after which point he drove off and the Matildas ace went back to the team hotel.

Nathan Cleary keen to keep private life under wraps

The West Australian also shared their own images of the couple together on Wednesday. Neither star has officially confirmed their relationship status but the new details will surely be as good as concrete proof for fans around the country. It comes after recent comments from Cleary about the intense media spotlight around his private life.

“It is what is, it’s a little bit annoying to not have a private life but I like to not talk about it too much and keep anything I can private,” he told the Daily Telegraph. “Things take off pretty quick with social media, but I’ll try to keep as private life if I can.”

Cleary is currently recovering from a knee injury he suffered in the NRL grand final, which ruled him out of Australia's Pacific Championship Test matches. The halfback won the Clive Churchill Medal after steering the Panthers to an incredible comeback victory over the Broncos to secure Penrith's third-straight premiership.

As for Fowler, she played another starring role as the Matildas all-but secured their passage into the next round of Olympic qualifying against the Philippines. In front of a sell-out crowd of 59,155, Fowler opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Sam Kerr and Caitlin Foord both scored hat-tricks. The Matildas will top their group if they defeat Taiwan on Wednesday night at Perth's HBF Park.

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