- 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
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
who cares if he signs. There's plenty of other players coming through. One player doesn't win a premiership as we saw with Hayne. The Eels need players who are fully committed not half hearted players who are more interested in themselves and their pocket. I hope it works out for him but under Meninga I Seriously can't see him going to far and it may take a number of years
With new teams coming in and Super League possibly getting "saved" there's more cash going around than clubs have cap space.That also means moving someone on is easier and best way to overperform is to have young players on unders in your squad.
So we don't know if Apa will be the next Tedesco but what I do know is that we should have had him secured before his debut. A 2027 min wage top 30 contract would have cost us 150k and it sounds like he would have signed one a few weeks ago. We could still have released him if we don't need / want him or we need the roster spot. Or even if we swap him for someone we need more, like LPT.
To his credit MON has secured T. Brown long term and Lorenzo and Will Latu for next year. No idea what the deal is with Saxon Pryke and Araz Nanva but if they're not signed then their price just went up. And there'll be some interest for Volkman, Walker and W Penisini too. We don't know what's going on inside the club but they'd better be working overtime to get those deals done!
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