Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler are pictured together for the first time as Australian sport’s greatest love story reaches its climax in Perth

EXCLUSIVE

NRL superstar Nathan Cleary and Matildas star Mary Fowler were photographed going public with their romance in Perth on Tuesday.

After Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed that Cleary had sprinted across the country to watch Fowler and the Matildas play the Philippines on Sunday, pictures have now emerged of the duo spending time together in Highgate, near the CBD spends in the city.

Fowler and Cleary have been romantically linked since they were spotted together twice following the Matildas’ World Cup campaign.

The new images show a relaxed Fowler in a white undershirt, shorts and sneakers, with her hair tied back and a cap on her head.

The pair grabbed a takeaway coffee from a local cafe and enjoyed each other’s company and laughter, with one onlooker describing their interaction as “low key but sweet”.

“There was a guy who recognized him and they shook hands and Mary laughed, then they just laughed and walked really close to each other,” the passerby said.

Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary are seen taking a stroll in Perth’s CBD on Tuesday in the first pictures of them spending time together

One onlooker described their interaction as “low key but sweet” as the sports stars shared a coffee and laughed in Highgate

“They were running very close to each other,” the spectator said after seeing Fowler and Cleary wearing a knee brace following their injury in the NRL grand final

The NRL star also liked a post Fowler made on Instagram on Monday – the first time he’s taken that step on social media.

The Panthers star wore a knee brace in the photos with Fowler after suffering a suspected torn ligament early in the NRL grand final.

Despite the injury, he was able to rally the Panthers to his side and secure a stunning come-from-behind victory over the Brisbane Broncos to secure a third consecutive premiership.

After big wins over Iran and the Philippines in their Olympic qualifiers in Perth, the Matildas will conclude their tour of Australia with a game against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday.

Fowler posted a series of pictures from those qualifiers, which were enjoyed by many teammates and fellow athletes, including Cleary.

The new development comes after Cleary traveled across the country to support Fowler in Perth on Sunday. This was the biggest sign of a romantic connection between the two before these pictures surfaced.

He was photographed with two Matildas fans outside Optus Stadium shortly before the Australians’ 8-0 win, when Fowler scored the opening goal.

Matildas supporter Annie Lewin shared the shot of Cleary with the caption: “Silly for the Tillies.”

Nathan Cleary also liked an Instagram post Fowler made on Monday – the first time he’s taken that step on social media

Fowler’s star is on the rise, with a key role in the Matildas’ forward line and a contract with Manchester City

Cleary would have played for Australia on Saturday had he not injured his knee in the NRL grand final. He chose not to watch his Australian teammates and instead traveled to support Fowler

Cleary and Fowler first gained attention as a potential couple after they were spotted together on two occasions following the Women’s World Cup.

Among the first sightings was a leisurely stroll along the Nepean River in Penrith, where the 25-year-old NRL sensation and the 20-year-old Matildas forward were spotted spending time together for the first time.

They were also seen sharing ice cream after a promotional event for Adidas, a brand both athletes support.

Fowler will be a key part of the Matildas’ attack when they face Chinese Taipei on Wednesday night at Perth’s HBF Park Stadium, a short walk from where she was spotted with Cleary on Tuesday.