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Mary Fowler has withdrawn from the Australian women's national soccer team, the Matildas, due to unspecified "personal circumstances," impacting upcoming friendlies against Germany and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 locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-06,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
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Mary Fowler, a 23-year-old football player, has withdrawn from the Matildas' upcoming friendlies against Germany and Haiti due to unspecified “personal circumstances.”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 2026-10-06,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Mary Fowler has withdrawn from the Matildas’ upcoming friendlies against Germany and Haiti due to undisclosed “personal circumstances”.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
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.
asserted
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
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