The relationship has reportedly taken a hit after the 15-year-old prodigy was made unavailable for the Matildas’ upcoming series against Chile, prompting coach Alen Stajcic to comment on the family’s “alternative lifestyle”.
The teenager’s father and adviser, Kevin Fowler, is said to have taken exception to the remarks as he masterminds his daughter’s career from the United Kingdom, where she opted to remain to train with Cristiano Ronaldo’s sprint coach and trial with various clubs, rather than return for the two-game series against Chile.
There are concerns the fallout could drive Fowler into the arms of the Republic of Ireland, who sister Ciara, 17, and brother Quivi, 19, have already represented at youth level.
Asked whether Stajcic’s comments had created a rift, Casserly replied: “I hope not ... he’s the coach who’s given her the opportunity in the Matildas and he’s the coach who thinks she has a big future, which by the looks of it could provide an opportunity for her to play at a senior World Cup.
“It’s very rare that somebody gets called into the Matildas and says ‘no thanks, I don’t want to come because I’m going to do something else’.
“But we have to be very understanding of the situation because she’s very young and we have to nurture that the right way.
“Whatever we do must be best for Mary and hopefully in the long term the best for us and the Matildas.”
Expressing his disappointment at not having the young forward available, Stajcic said: “They've (her family) have lived an alternative lifestyle - if you'd like to call it that - over the last couple of years and the father has a whole family he is trying to look after and protect and foster their growth on and off the field.
"Their family has trodden a unique path, and who are we to judge whether it's the right or wrong path?”
Despite making her senior international debut for Australia in last month's friendlies against France and England, Fowler is not irreversibly tied to Australia until she plays in an official FIFA tournament.
Cairns-raised Fowler has expressed a desire to play for Ireland, the birth place of her father, in line with her siblings.
However Casserly sees the Matildas as by far the best international option for a gifted youngster that the FFA has “already invested heavily in and believes in”.
“She’s only 15 and, rightly so, the family are very hands-on with her development,” he added.
“And at that moment they feel she has work to do in Europe and trialling with clubs is the priority.
“In terms of her international future, we believe the Matildas is the right place to give her the opportunity to be at World Cups and Olympic Games.
“And we certainly hope she will be a Matilda for many years to come.
“We feel it’s a no brainer in terms of what is offered to female players to play for the Matildas versus say somebody like Ireland.
“In that regard, I believe we are streets ahead. We qualify for World Cups, we qualify for Olympics so I think we have a lot more to offer.
“I think we are the place to be for her. We certainly hope she will end up with the Matildas but time will tell.”
