Mary Fowler pulls out of Matildas squad due to ‘personal circumstances’
Mary Fowler has withdrawn from the Matildas’ upcoming friendlies against Germany and Haiti due to undisclosed “personal circumstances”.
The announcement was made on Tuesday morning (AEDT), a day after Fowler made her 100th appearance for Manchester City off the bench in their 4-2 Women’s Super League win over Arsenal.
“The decision was made following discussions between Fowler, Manchester City and CommBank Matildas staff,” said Football Australia in a brief statement.
No further information was provided about the 23-year-old’s reasons for pulling out of international duty - but injury does not appear to be a factor, and with both of Australia’s matches to take place in Europe, her unexplained absence from this camp is curious.
It comes at a time when Fowler’s partner, NRL star Nathan Cleary, is recovering from surgery to both of his legs after a career-threatening injury.
Three days after Fowler was named in the Matildas’ squad, Cleary suffered a compound fracture to his left leg while playing for the Penrith Panthers in their NRL preliminary final defeat to the Newcastle Knights. It was later revealed that he was already carrying a stress fracture in his right foot.
“I also want to say a big thanks to my partner,” Cleary said in his speech after winning the Dally M medal last week. “It’s tough doing the long distance, but she always makes me feel supported and loved, and that’s all I’ve ever asked for, and she’s just amazing.”
Given her club commitments, an international window would seem to be Fowler’s only chance in the immediate future to return to Sydney to spend time with Cleary. However, there is no confirmation from any party that this is why she will not be involved with the Matildas.
Further comment was sought from Football Australia and Fowler’s management.
Her absence will interrupt coach Joe Montemurro’s preparations for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil, at which Fowler looms as one of the team’s most important players. With Kyra Cooney-Cross also not selected for personal reasons, it means Montemurro will be without two of his likely three first-choice starters in midfield.
The clash against world No.3-ranked Germany in Karlsruhe on Saturday (5.30am AEDT), albeit only a friendly, is the Matildas’ biggest test since they suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Japan in March’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup final.
While some of the Matildas’ biggest names are on the slide at club level, Fowler has been in terrific form with two goals in seven appearances across all competitions for City, who are unbeaten.
She has been replaced in the squad by Charlton Athletic midfielder Leah Davidson, who has been capped by Australia four times.
Fowler pulled out of a previous Matildas squad in November 2024, spending that window with family in Australia because of “mental and physical fatigue following a demanding playing schedule”, including a run of four games in 14 days for City.
More to come
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