- 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
If he is such a talent why didn't bulldogs match the bears offer. Why weren't other clubs looking at this generational talent. Didn't they see his 2 tries on the wing against a tigers defence missing a player. A lot of fans look at highlight reels and stats without watching off the ball efforts and other factors on and off the field.
The truth is we see very little in regards to salary cap management, training, attitude, off field personality, ability to follow game plans and how they learn defensive structures. Then there is relationships with other players and within the club as well as the agents with interest in maximising contract values now with little regard to long term future of the player or team performance. Agents collect their commission and if a player kicks on they win. If he fails they get the next young gun an inflated contract.
Will be a great player, we cannot afford to lock up $300k (assuming) for 3 years on a 3rd string fullback/ half. Has 2 players infront of him in both positions. Hope he is very successful at the Bears. Will be good to watch him develop in first grade.
He will go backwards under Meninga in my opinion.
Should have been on a better/longer deal before debut and that is an RnR failing no matter how many players are in front of him for his preferred position. We could definitely have use him at wing and centre for a year or two.
I believe Api has a much higher ceiling than Joash, however, Api is still in development mode in regards to his body maturing.
Joash is a ready now utility role player and with the incoming expansion teams starting up it will be, and is, always going to be hard to hold onto players who are behind others in a pecking order.
Joash does not fill me with butterflies and is not dangerous at present in my opinion at fullback whatsoever.
But he is safe, reliable and has heart. He had his time maturing and developing in Cup and Ryles sees him as the main cover for now.
Unfortunate for our club, do not see it being the last raid from the two incoming teams.
Api and Joash are the same age. I honestly feel Api body has not changed much since SG Ball.
I trust your judgement EA.
I just meant that body maturity of Joash is from 2 to 3 solid years of Cup fixtures getting belted around where Apa lacks that amount of exposure thus far.
If we keep the production line at nearly full capacity we can pick and choose as the pathway plan evolves.
Hopefully Apa goes well and gets a decent career going.
If he wasn't really in Ryles mid term plans then he is probably the similar to what Iongi was at Penrith.
I wonder if he didn't have that debut would it be a headline?
His preferred position is fullback that is blocked long term.
His 2nd position is 5/8 the club have backed Lorenzo with Volkman still here potentially next year.
And Joash as a back up in both position.
Its similar to Ethan Sanders path was blocked could see a clear path elsewhere so went
Our R&R has been below acceptable for some time now. So how anyone can have faith in this being a good decision is a bit beyond me. Time will tell if Apa leaving is a good or bad call by the club but there's simply no way we can feel assured that the powers-that-be know what they're doing. It would not surprise me in the slightest if Apa finds his feet at NRL and becomes a quality half / utility. I mean, we did allow Russell to leave and he is currently our best Centre. Who would have seen that coming? (Hint - the Head of Football probably should have)
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