Mary Fowler has withdrawn from the Matildas squad just days before their highly anticipated friendly match against Germany. The 23-year-old striker was expected to play a key role in the game, scheduled for Saturday morning (AEDT) in Karlsruhe.
On Tuesday, the Matildas confirmed Fowler’s absence, which extends to a subsequent friendly against Haiti in France next week. The decision followed discussions involving Fowler, her Women’s Super League club Manchester City, and the team’s staff.
The official reason for her withdrawal is cited as “personal circumstances,” and Fowler is reported to be injury-free after coming off the bench to contribute to Manchester City’s 4-2 victory over Arsenal on Monday, marking her 100th appearance for the club.
This news coincides with her partner, Nathan Cleary, recovering in Sydney from a significant leg injury sustained during the Penrith Panthers’ NRL preliminary final loss to the Newcastle Knights. Cleary underwent surgery for a compound fracture and dislocated ankle following a tackle and was discharged from the hospital last week.
Although there are no indications that Fowler’s withdrawal is related to Cleary’s injury, he expressed his gratitude for her support during his acceptance speech for the Dally M award last week, noting the challenges of long-distance relationships.
Leah Davidson, who debuted for the national team in 2024 and has four caps, will replace Fowler in the squad. The Matildas’ statement regarding Fowler’s absence confirmed, “The decision was made following discussions between Fowler, Manchester City and CommBank Matildas staff.”
With 71 international caps, Fowler has established herself as one of the Matildas’ seasoned players, having made her debut at the age of 15 in 2018, making her the fifth-youngest player to do so.
The upcoming matches against Germany and Haiti will serve as crucial preparation for the Matildas ahead of the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where Australia aims to build on their semi-final performance from the 2023 tournament hosted on home soil.
