- Rising Apa Twidle will leave the Parramatta Eels at the end of 2026 after agreeing to a three-year deal with the new Perth Bears (joining in 2027).
- The deal is in a cooling-off period, but he’s expected to go ahead with it because the offer is significantly better.
- Twidle burst onto the scene with a standout debut (2 tries in 3 minutes), which attracted strong interest from multiple clubs.
- Parramatta reportedly only offered a low-value development contract (~$80k), while Perth provided better financial security and opportunity.
- A key factor: the Bears are offering him a chance to play in the halves, rather than being used as a utility/backline option.
- He becomes one of the early signings helping build the Bears’ inaugural squad under coach Mal Meninga.
Bottom line:
Parramatta unearthed a serious talent, but underpaid and under-positioned him—Perth stepped in with money, role clarity, and long-term security, and likely pinched him.
Replies
Oh god here we go. Here comes the weekly MON receipt take.
Twidle is a talent but at the same time his best position seems to be Fullback. He is also 22 so he is in no position to wait any longer. With two new teams in the market come November, this is bound to happen.
Good luck to him but are we willing to let Iongi go? Also, EA could add to this, Bamblett could arguably be a better talent we have in the lower grades. So he's the one we should invest in more.
LB I don't think God is going to help some on here and those that have a different opinion to our way of thinking. Their entitled to those opinions hey . Just different to to what we think and that's just my humble opinion
I do not have an issue with different opinion but how it will be used as a MON bashing when i could have been a Ryles call is what annoys me.
LB im on your side mate and if you see what i was trying to to get across sorry if you thought otherwise
Hector not all, no issues with what you said mate. Just was trying to explain why I said what I said is all. Sorry if it came across the wrong way.
No worries at all bud
Bamblet it better no doubt.
This is my own opinion no one else's but it doesn't matter who we lose it matters who we keep.
The only thing we have to worry about around retention is identifying and keeping the right ones.
Penrith have let about 20 go in the last 3-4 years but they've kept the right ones to build around and as above that's the key here.If Twidle wasn't part of that good luck to him in Perth.
Flipside is if he or any other of these let go juniors blow up else where then Houston we have a problem.
That's a very fair assessment there Coryin
Well Put Coryn.
I think a lot of people are expressing opinions based on not trusting R@R on making the right decision, or on Management unable to get a deal over the line for the ones they want to keep.
Knowing which is which as a memeber, fan, supporter is becoming more difficult.
If Ryles wanted to keep the kid then i'm pissed they couldn't find a way
If Ryles was happy to let him go as he ranks others more highly, then i'm fine with it.
In this instance by only offering him a development deal speaks volumes in how he is viewed by R&R.
R&R and Ryles future will tie directly into the making of these decisions.Are they good or will they come back to bite them like a Mahoney, Gallen, Keary, Tupou.
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