Penrith Panthers fans can rejoice, skipper Nathan Cleary is set to be 100 per cent for Round 1 of the NRL season in Vegas despite delaying his shoulder surgery to be with his girlfriend Mary Fowler.
After helping steer the Panthers to a record fourth consecutive NRL premiership in October, Cleary has returned to Australia for surgery and shared an update with his supporters.
Cleary posted an image from his hospital bed, fresh from surgery, showing his arm in a sling, the dressing for the keyhole operation and the red dye used by the surgeon to help with visibility of the tissue surrounding the joint.
The Panthers playmaker was set to have the surgery done after the NRL grand final, ruling him out of the Pacific Championships with Australia, but elected to delay the procedure to travel to the UK and Europe to holiday with Fowler.
Respected physiotherapist Brian Seeney, AKA The NRL Physio on social media, said that the surgery would dramatically limit the chances of Cleary dislocating his shoulder again.
‘Nathan Cleary will undergo a a latarjet shoulder reconstruction next week, which involves taking a bone graft from the front of the shoulder blade & attaching it to the joint to “deepen” the socket [to improve stability],’ he posted prior to the surgery.
‘Risk of re-dislocation is very low (<5%) for this surgery type.’
Seeney also posted that the typical recovery period for this type of shoulder surgery is four months, putting Cleary in the frame for selection for the Panther Round 1 NRL clash in Vegas next year.
Meanwhile, Fowler has shared more photos from their time together in the NRL off-season, including portraits they painted of each other.
‘Feeling blessed. Grateful for this life,’ Fowler posted.
‘Aren’t you just so happy that you found an artistic boyfriend?’ Cleary replied on the post.
Fans praised Fowler for her artwork of her boyfriend, and said Cleary deserved credit for trying.
‘Mary you nailed the portrait of Nathan. Such a talented lady. 10/10 we can give Nathan a 9/10,’ one posted.
Fowler also posted images of the pair enjoying time on the beach and on walks together along with the inspirational quote, ‘Don’t lose the moment searching for another one.’
Cleary and Fowler have been an item since late 2023 as exclusively revealed by Daily Mail Australia.
Their romance started after meeting at a mutual sponsor’s event and the couple were spotted meeting for ice cream and walking together along the Nepean River in Penrith together.
The Panthers playmaker then jetted across the country to support Fowler when the Matildas were in town and their love has flourished ever since.
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