Matildas star reveals why she wants Cleary BARRED from meeting girlfriend Fowler

Matildas star Mackenzie Arnold has revealed why she wanted footy star Nathan Cleary banned from running onto the field to meet his girlfriend Mary Fowler after one of the national side's recent matches in Perth.

The Aussie and Manchester City ace's romance with the NRL grand final winner became the biggest sport story in the country when Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed the pair enjoying some tender moments in a park on October 31.

Fowler and her Matildas teammates were playing Olympics qualifying matches in the city at the time, and the couple were seen sharing a coffee the day before they embraced for the photos.

Cleary was also spotted arriving at Optus Stadium to cheer Fowler on when the Matildas defeated the Philippines on October 29, and he was in the crowd when the Aussies beat Taiwan three days later.

On Thursday, Arnold has opened up about the light-hearted reason she wanted him barred from running onto the field to reunite with his love interest.

'I was still salty from the grand final,' revealed the Brisbane Broncos fan, whose team lost the year's biggest game when Cleary played a starring role in leading his Penrith side to a stunning come-from-behind victory.

'I wasn't happy about it and let Mary know he couldn't come on the field.'

The goalie also told listeners on 2DAY FM's Hughesy, Ed & Erin show that seeing Cleary in the stands was a reminder of the huge impact the Matildas' World Cup success has had on their standing in Australia.

Asked if there was a moment that brought it all home to her, she replied: 'I think it was definitely seeing Nathan Cleary in the crowd that was crazy for us.'

The Panthers halfback played the supportive boyfriend as his girlfriend tackled Taiwan in a match the Matildas won 3-0.

Fowler was Australia's biggest threat in a first half that ended with no goals.

After a halftime team talk from coach Tony Gustavsson, Fowler returned to the pitch and saw Cleary's face on the big screen, with the Penrith hero chatting with friends before the start of the second stanza of play at HBF Park.

A wide smile spread across her face as she laughed with teammates, clearly pleased to see her new beau in attendance.

That confidence-booster certainly did the trick, with Fowler finding the back of the net early in the second half with a sensational strike from distance to put the Matildas in front against their rivals.

The pair first attracted attention as a potential couple when they were seen together on a leisurely walk along the Nepean River in Penrith in Sydney's west.

The pair were then seen sharing an ice cream following a promotional event hosted by Adidas, a brand both athletes endorse.