Mary Fowler pulls out of Matildas live event at CommBank Stadium

Matildas star Mary Fowler has been spotted at an unusual event in Sydney after making headlines just hours before when she was seen sharing a kiss with Nathan Cleary. The star striker made her way back to Australia after returning to the UK to play for Manchester City, arriving in Sydney on an Emirates flight from Dubai on Tuesday night.

Her arrival set tongues wagging as she was snapped getting picked up by the Penrith Panthers captain, with the pair seen embracing and sharing a kiss.

It was feared the rumoured-couple would have to wait months to be reunited after it was announced last week that Fowler would no longer be appearing at a Matildas Open Air Live Event to be held on Thursday night.

Instead, the star player kept her travel plans to return to Sydney and despite pulling out of the Matildas event, kept her commitments to Rise & Shine Kindergarten in Carlton in Sydney’s south on Wednesday morning. She was recently announced as the school’s ambassador.

Fowler was all smiles in the room full of kindergarteners but turned silent when questions turned to her personal life.

Reporters keen to ask questions about the budding romance were quickly shut down by the Matildas media team at the event, with interviews ending as soon as Cleary was mentioned by the media.

Australians have been desperate to find out the details of Fowler and Cleary’s rumoured romance after they were spotted cosying up together at a Perth park last month.

The last time the pair were together was on November 2 when Cleary farewelled Fowler at Perth Airport after the Matilda’s 3-0 win over Chinese Taipei the night before.

Fowler did reflect on everything that’s happened this year, with the World Cup, international fame and appearing on the front cover of Marie Claire’s Woman of the Year magazine.

“When you start out, you don’t really think too much about these things,” she said.

“I never would have thought that I’d get the opportunities that I do now, but as I’ve got more opportunities being out in the spotlight a bit more, it’s made me realise the kind of responsibilities that you have to all these people that are watching you.

“I’ve always thought that the biggest way for me to inspire someone is for me being myself, so that’s what I do when I’m out there.

“I try to be genuine, and if that makes someone want to go after a dream or smile, then that would make me happy.”

Those planning on heading to the Matildas event on Thursday night will still be treated to a show by the team’s top players.

Caitlin Foord will replace Fowler and appear alongside veteran defender Alanna Kennedy and star goal keeper Mackenzie Arnold.

Hosted by James Bracey, the event promises that select Matildas players will showcase their football skills in masterclass sessions as well as discussing their lives, special moments and careers.

“Creating a huge match day experience with music, surprises and three genuine super stars of the sport,” the event description reads.