- 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
I think he maybe called Nostradamus
What if Ryles is the one that said to MON he wants Lorenzo?
The main job of MON is to provide players for Ryles, if Ryles said he wants Lorenzo, MON will put attention into Lorenzo.
Spot on Super. From what i've seen and heard, The Bears don't have a capable football department running the show (apparently he's an ex cop) so making decisions like this is on the cards as they're looking to build depth through swinging and hoping for the best.
I wouldn't be too confident in Mal Meninga as the coach at all.
He is a fair way down the pecking order and you can't keep them all. Players come and go
Fair enough bit more opportunity got depth in halves and got 2 fullbacks. From what we are seeing more talent is coming in terms of centres
I wonder if the Penrith recruitment guys lost their jobs after Iongi signed with us?
Developing juniors to be good FG players and then not retaining them due to tight arse offers is the pinnacle of the club's stupidity. MON and the FO financial pushers are solely responsible for this bungle. Twidle had shown what he can do and out ahole R&R is not showing him respect by low balling him. If he goes, let's make sure that MON and his team goes as well. FMD!
What if, here me out here, Ryles didn't want him? Is that MON's fault? Not denying MON has had blunders but what if Ryles preferred to go elsewhere>
Thanks LB, HOWEVER, Unless there is an inside info about that, we will be speculating. What just irks me is that we have developed Twidle, spent time and effort to at least his current performance level and some other team will just benefit from it. What I am saying is that are there no any other position that might suit him?. It seems the club does not really value him by offering an $80K contract. He might have his lapses and deficiencies but at least he had shown in lower grades, pre-season and short stint in FG what he can do. Had he reached his ceiling in development? But as you said, we don't how the club officials long tem plan. Just hope it does not bite us again.
Imagine how Panthers have been feeling for the past 5 years lol
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