Mary Fowler withdraws from Matildas squad for October friendlies due to personal reasons

Consensus Summary

Matildas star Mary Fowler has withdrawn from the upcoming international window against Germany and Haiti due to undisclosed personal circumstances, Football Australia confirmed on Tuesday. The 23-year-old, who has been in strong form for Manchester City, was replaced by 25-year-old Leah Davidson, who has four caps since her 2004 debut. The friendlies, scheduled for Saturday AEDT (October 10) in Karlsruhe and next Wednesday (October 13) in Chambly, are critical preparation for next year’s World Cup, with coach Joe Montemurro emphasizing the need to test the team against high-level opponents like world No. 3 Germany and Haiti, who feature former Lyon teammate Melchie Dumornay.

Fowler’s absence adds to the Matildas’ challenges, as star midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross is also missing from the squad. The withdrawal was announced after discussions between Fowler, Manchester City, and Matildas staff, with Football Australia releasing a statement at 6.30am AEDT on Tuesday. The decision caught senior FA officials off guard, according to the SMH, which reported that Fowler’s management and teammates were also kept in the dark about the reasons behind her withdrawal. The Guardian and ABC both noted that Fowler’s partner, NRL player Nathan Cleary, is recovering in Australia from surgery after a compound fracture and stress fracture, though there is no confirmation that this is the reason for her absence.

Fowler’s withdrawal is not her first from international duty; she previously skipped the November window in 2024 due to ‘mental and physical fatigue,’ as reported by the SMH. The outlet also highlighted that Fowler had only recently recovered from an ACL injury, which had limited her availability under Montemurro since he took over in June 2025. Teammate Hayley Raso expressed disappointment, telling the SMH she had only just learned of Fowler’s withdrawal when speaking to media late on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Fowler’s club form remains strong, with the ABC and 7NEWS noting her recent performances, including a 100th appearance for Manchester City in a 4-2 win over Arsenal, though the exact timing of this match varies slightly between sources.

While all outlets agree on the core details—Fowler’s withdrawal, the replacement by Davidson, and the upcoming friendlies—there are differences in emphasis. The SMH and ABC focus on Fowler’s recent injury history and her limited availability under Montemurro, while 7NEWS highlights her recent Champions League and Super League performances. The Guardian and SMH also draw attention to Cleary’s recovery as a possible factor, though no official link has been confirmed. The ABC and 7NEWS provide slightly different accounts of Fowler’s 100th appearance for Manchester City, with the former placing it on Monday and the latter on Sunday, though the broader context of her strong form remains consistent.

With the Matildas squad already thin due to Cooney-Cross’s absence and Fowler’s withdrawal, Montemurro faces a challenging task in preparing the team for next year’s World Cup. The friendlies against Germany and Haiti will be key tests, particularly as the team navigates a busy schedule with limited opportunities for further preparation. The lack of clarity around Fowler’s personal circumstances has left questions unanswered, though the SMH suggests her club commitments and Cleary’s recovery may play a role. As the team travels to Europe for these matches, the focus remains on maximizing the limited time available before the World Cup.