Source : the age
Mary Fowler’s Matildas teammates remain in the dark as to why the star attacker has chosen to sit out their upcoming friendlies, while key Football Australia staff were also caught by surprise by her mysterious last-minute withdrawal.
Fowler had been selected in coach Joe Montemurro’s squad for Australia’s matches against Germany and Haiti, which are critical opportunities to bed down tactics and combinations ahead of next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
But the 23-year-old will not be involved due to undisclosed “personal circumstances”, while the national federation has refused to provide any further detail or background.
The decision was made after what an FA statement described as “discussions” between Fowler, her club Manchester City and the Matildas.
Sources close to the situation, who weren’t authorised to speak publicly, told this masthead that senior FA officials are unimpressed, since they only became aware of the matter when they woke up on Tuesday morning and read the statement, which was distributed at 6.30am AEDT.
A day earlier, Fowler made her 100th appearance for Manchester City, coming off the bench in their 4-2 Women’s Super League win over Arsenal. She did not appear to suffer any injuries and has been in good form since the start of the season; the fact that both friendlies will take place in Europe, where Fowler is based, suggests travel-related conditioning or logistics could not be a factor.
Fowler’s management were also contacted for comment.
Matildas winger Hayley Raso said she had only just learned that Fowler would not be joining the squad when she spoke to Australian media via zoom late on Tuesday.
“I haven’t spoken to Mary. I only just found out the news myself,” she said.
“Obviously, Mary’s a really valuable player for our team, so it’s sad that she’s not here at this camp, but obviously, she has to take care of some personal circumstances.”
While the matches are only friendlies, they are valuable games for Montemurro in his planning for the World Cup – particularly as it relates to his utilisation of Fowler, who still does not have a nailed-on position in his starting XI.
Montemurro has rarely had a fully-fit Fowler at his disposal since becoming coach of the Matildas in June 2025. Fowler had only just recovered from an ACL injury in time to take part in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup earlier this year, and was rested from their FIFA Series matches in Kenya in April, before playing 90 minutes and 85 minutes in the team’s two home clashes with Mexico in June.
With Kyra Cooney-Cross also not selected after taking an extended break following her mother’s cancer battle, it means Montemurro will be without two of his likely three first-choice starters in midfield against world No.3-ranked Germany, who the Matildas face in Karlsruhe on Saturday (5.30am AEDT), before facing Haiti in Chambly, France next Wednesday (6am AEDT).
“There’s not that many camps or matches before the World Cup, so every one is so important,” Raso said.
“Having a game against a top side like Germany is really important. We know how tough and physical they’re going to be. We’ve played against them a few times before, and I think that these are the type of games we need to prepare us for what’s going to come next year.”
This is not the first time Fowler has voluntarily withdrawn from a squad after being selected. However, when she skipped the November window in 2024, a reason was provided: the accumulation of “mental and physical fatigue” after a demanding period of club football. Fowler also provided a lengthy quote regarding her circumstances, which stands in sharp contrast with Tuesday’s brief, vague statement.
Selected players rarely withdraw from international duty without at least some level of explanation.
The absence of information leaves unanswered whether Fowler’s decision has any connection to the serious injuries suffered by her partner, NRL star Nathan Cleary, who is recovering in Sydney after surgery to both legs.
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.
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