The Aporia · Mary Fowler pulls out of Matildas squad due to ‘personal circumstances’

Mary Fowler has withdrawn from the Australian women's national soccer team, the Matildas, due to unspecified "personal circumstances," impacting upcoming friendlies against Germany and Haiti scheduled this week. The 23-year-old Manchester City player's absence is particularly notable given her partner, NRL star Nathan Cleary, recently underwent leg surgery, though Football Australia did not specify these personal reasons as the cause for Fowler’s withdrawal.

Written by AI on 2026-10-06, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

Mary Fowler, a 23-year-old football player, has withdrawn from the Matildas' upcoming friendlies against Germany and Haiti due to unspecified “personal circumstances.” The announcement came on Tuesday (AEDT), shortly after she made her 100th appearance for Manchester City in their match against Arsenal. Football Australia confirmed that injury is not a factor in Fowler’s decision, making her absence from the European matches unusual.

Fowler's partner, NRL star Nathan Cleary, suffered a compound fracture to his left leg and was already dealing with a stress fracture in his right foot during an NRL preliminary final match for the Penrith Panthers. This timing raises speculation about the reasons behind Fowler’s withdrawal given her significant club commitments and limited opportunity to spend time with Cleary due to international windows.

Written for “Australian Football Team Update” on 2026-11-04, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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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.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-10-06

🔮 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.

2026-10-06 · The Sydney Morning Herald

Mary Fowler pulls out of Matildas squad due to ‘personal circumstances’ · assertive framing

Mary Fowler has withdrawn from the Matildas’ upcoming friendlies against Germany and Haiti due to undisclosed “personal circumstances”. asserted

Fowler → withdraw → 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. asserted

Fowler → make → Arsenal

“The decision was made following discussions between Fowler, Manchester City and CommBank Matildas staff,” said Football Australia in a brief statement. asserted

Australia → make → statement

absence → provide → camp

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. asserted

partner → come → 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. asserted

Cleary → name → Knights

It was later revealed that he was already carrying a stress fracture in his right foot. asserted

he → reveal → 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. asserted

Cleary → want → medal

“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.” asserted

she → ’ → distance

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. asserted

window → give → Cleary

However, there is no confirmation from any party that this is why she will not be involved with the Matildas. asserted

she → be → Matildas

Further comment was sought from Football Australia and Fowler’s management. asserted

comment → seek → Australia

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. asserted

Fowler → interrupt → 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. asserted

Montemurro → select → 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. asserted

they → rank → final

She has been replaced in the squad by Charlton Athletic midfielder Leah Davidson, who has been capped by Australia four times. asserted

who → replace → Australia

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. asserted

Fowler → pull → City

Mary Fowler pulls out of Matildas squad due to ‘personal circumstances’

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