Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler confirm they're a couple with a VERY romantic display as Matildas ace rests her head on footy superstar's shirtless chest
- Rumours about sport romance have been on for months
- Cleary flew to Perth to support Fowler last weekend
- Read more: Aussie sport romance heats up in Perth
- Read more: Fowler scores after seeing Cleary in the stands
EXCLUSIVE
Aussie sport's hottest romance went public on Wednesday as Mary Fowler and a shirtless Nathan Cleary shared some tender moments in Perth.
Just a day after Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed photos of the NRL superstar and his soccer ace girlfriend spending time together before the Matildas' Olympics qualifying match, they took it up several notches as they cuddled in a park.
Mary Fowler left the team's hotel on Wednesday morning, grabbed a coffee and met up with Cleary, who flew into the city to support her as she starred in Australia's big win over the Philippines on Sunday.
They could be seen laying together in the middle of an open park by the water - laughing, hugging, chatting, and drinking from the same water bottle.
At one point, Cleary took his shirt off and Fowler lay on his chest.
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/09/77254805-12695963-image-a-75_1698831816562.jpg)
Romance confirmed! Fowler rested her head on Cleary's shirtless chest as they took their relationship public in Perth on Wednesday
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/19/77254817-12695963-image-a-1_1698866815340.jpg)
The couple were seen holding hands, laughing, chatting and hugging at a park overlooking the water near Perth's CBD
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/19/77254833-12695963-image-a-2_1698866816615.jpg)
Cleary sported a knee brace after being injured during his match-winning performance as he guided Penrith to their third straight premiership last month
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/19/77254863-12695963-image-a-4_1698866816965.jpg)
The stars were first rumoured to be romantically linked shortly after the Matildas' World Cup campaign ended
The stars appeared playful as they lay on the grass - tossing empty water bottles in the air and catching them as he threw his arm around her and laughed.
They then held hands briefly as they went back to Cleary's black SUV, where the couple had a brief chat in the car before he drove away and Fowler walked back to her accommodation.
Fowler declined to comment when Daily Mail Australia asked about the romantic display, saying: 'Sorry, I just want to get back to my hotel.'
The Manchester City star and NRL premiership winner have been romantically linked since being spotted together twice following the Matildas' World Cup campaign.
They first attracted attention as a potential couple when they were seen together on a leisurely walk along the Nepean River in Penrith in Sydney's west.
![Fowler refused to comment when approached by Daily Mail Australia shortly after the photos were taken, but the images speak volumes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/19/77252957-12695963-Fowler_refused_to_comment_when_approached_by_Daily_Mail_Australi-a-3_1698866816848.jpg)
Fowler refused to comment when approached by Daily Mail Australia shortly after the photos were taken, but the images speak volumes
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/19/77254883-12695963-image-a-7_1698866817374.jpg)
The couple appeared playful as they lay on the grass - tossing empty water bottles in the air and catching them as Cleary threw his arm around Fowler and laughed
The pair were then seen sharing an ice cream following a promotional event hosted by Adidas, a brand both athletes endorse.
Last Sunday, Cleary was photographed with two Matildas fans outside Optus Stadium just before the Aussies' 8-0 victory over the Philippines, with Fowler scoring the opening goal.
Matildas supporter Annie Lewin shared the shot of Cleary with the caption 'silly for the tillies', giving the clearest indication to that point that there was a romantic connection between the pair.
Cleary had previously been partying with friends and family in Bali.
On Tuesday Daily Mail Australia's exclusive photos showed the couple enjoying each other's company and laughing after grabbing a takeaway coffee, with an onlooker describing their interaction as 'low-key but cute'.
'There was a guy that recognised him and they shook hands and Mary laughed, then they were just laughing and walking very close together,' the passer-by said.
![An onlooker described their interaction as 'low-key but cute' as they were seen 'laughing and walking very close together' in Daily Mail Australia's exclusive pics on Tuesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/19/77252857-12695963-An_onlooker_described_their_interaction_as_low_key_but_cute_as_t-a-5_1698866817106.jpg)
An onlooker described their interaction as 'low-key but cute' as they were seen 'laughing and walking very close together' in Daily Mail Australia's exclusive pics on Tuesday
![Cleary added fuel to rumours of a romance with Fowler last Sunday when he was snapped in a selfie with two Matildas fans outside Perth's Optus Stadium after flying in to support her ahead of the team's big win over the Philippines](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/19/77252859-12695963-Cleary_added_fuel_to_rumours_of_a_romance_with_Fowler_last_Sunda-a-6_1698866817373.jpg)
Cleary added fuel to rumours of a romance with Fowler last Sunday when he was snapped in a selfie with two Matildas fans outside Perth's Optus Stadium after flying in to support her ahead of the team's big win over the Philippines
![Fowler (pictured celebrating her goal against the Philippines with Sam Kerr) is sure to star in the Matildas' match against Taiwan on Wednesday night](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/01/19/77252471-12695963-Fowler_pictured_celebrating_her_goal_against_the_Philippines_wit-a-8_1698866817638.jpg)
Fowler (pictured celebrating her goal against the Philippines with Sam Kerr) is sure to star in the Matildas' match against Taiwan on Wednesday night
A relaxed Fowler was wearing a white singlet, shorts and sneakers with her hair tied back and a cap on, while Cleary sported a large black knee brace after being injured in the Penrith Panthers' NRL grand final win last month.
The NRL star also liked a post Fowler put up on Instagram on Monday - the first time he's taken that step on social media.
Fowler posted a series of images from the Matildas' Olympics qualification matches, which were liked by a host of teammates and fellow athletes, including Cleary.
She is sure to be a big part of Australia's attack as they take on Taiwan in the final qualifier on Wednesday night at Perth's HBF Park Stadium, which is within an easy walk of where the couple were spotted on Tuesday.