The big problem with Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler’s romance: Why the loved-up stars could struggle to keep their relationship going

Nathan Cleary sat at Perth’s HBF Park to cheer on his girlfriend and Matildas star Mary Fowler against China Taipei on Wednesday night – and it may be one of the last chances the couple have to see each other over the next six months.

Aussie sport’s hottest romance went public on Wednesday as Fowler and a shirtless Cleary shared some tender moments in a Perth park.

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 and held hands.

Since dating rumours first surfaced back in August, the nation has been obsessed with the couple, but their packed playing schedules will mean they will now have to negotiate a long distance relationship for the next six months.

Fowler, who plays for Manchester City in England’s Barclay’s Women’s Super League, is due to fly back to the UK on Thursday to be ready for the team’s Sunday match against Arsenal.

The loved-up couple have busy playing schedules with their respective clubs – but they will have a great chance to reunite before the end of the year

Manchester City has at least a further 21 games between now and May 18, when they finish up their season.

Cleary is expected to attend training for the Panthers on November 22 ahead of their season kicking off in the first week of March, although the injury he sustained in the grand final could set his return back.

The loved-up couple will have a brief window to see each other over the Christmas period, with Fowler’s season pausing for a month and Cleary getting a two-week break.

It is anticipated that Fowler will fly to Australia as she is booked in to appear at a Matildas fan event at Sydney’s CommBank Stadium on December 21.

Unfortunately, the couple won’t be able to catch up in February when Penrith travel to the UK to play Wigan in the World Club Challenge – as Fowler will be in Australia with the Matildas for Olympic qualifying matches.

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 is due to fly back to the UK on Thursday to play for Manchester City – and she’s not due back in Australia until December

The couple have a two-week window over the Christmas period to see each other, with the Matildas star due to attend a fan event in Sydney around that time

The pair were then seen sharing an ice cream following a promotional event hosted by Adidas, a brand both athletes endorse. 

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.