- 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
yes Lorenzo is the real deal but like any young half, he has things to work on. He has been compared to a young Milford. Defensively he is fine. Can get exposed a bit but again he is young.
I guess we already have Iongi and Moses leaving 6 as his only option and we have favoured others like Talataina over him.
Time will tell if we made the right decision...
You put him on the wing like just about every other fullback coming into first grade and test his potential. Parra seem to get stuck on what position the junior plays rather than just getting them into the first grade team and trying them out. Look at the roosters. They have a half playing in the centres so they don't lose a talented player.
I think you'll find we do offer alternative positions but our juniors want their selected position NOW. E.g. Talagi.
Just like gutho Josh
That was gonna be my preferred outcome. Play him on the wing. But:
1. Does he want that?
2. Does he want that when he has other options with better money?
3. Does he give us what we want on the wing? For example, he won't give us 50% of the metres Brian Kelly gave us on sunday. And that's Kelly, let alone a fit Simonsson.
4. Even then, he stays, how much would we have to pay him, and for how long would he sign? He can play wing for a year or two then go in 2027 or 2028 cause someone is offering fullback money.
In which case, how much upside would we have playing him wing for a year or two (assuming money is alright and he's ok with it) as opposed to actually playing experienced wingers or developing actual wingers to rotate.
This is the model all of the good teams seem to use. I think the bigger problem is parra management not being able to sell the future to the young kids coming through. There's no way the roosters, Melbourne or Penrith lose talagai, sanders, twiddle and others if they want to keep them. They find a spot for them in the team and they work up to their preferred role. If they are no good then they get released down the track.
The Roosters lost Mitchell, Manu and Sua'ali'i and Penrith lost heaps of kids including Isaiya Katoa.
As said above, Penrith lost Hopgood, Iongi, Leniu.
Melbourne lost Pezet.
Tigers lost Galvin and Da Silva.
We have created pathways for Tuivati, Guymer, Ryley, and by the looks of it Lorenzo.
That's my point, you can'd do it to all of them. We will lose more talented youngsters who end up being probably amazing.
Oh well, no biggie
-
9
-
10
-
11
-
12
-
13
of 13 Next