Apa Twidle signs with the Bears

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

- Coryn Hughes > shane April 23, 2026 at 9:02am
  
  It is about keeping the right ones people mention how poor Talagi is and forget how Moses used to be it's just a continual moveable narrative by fans.Every player is flawed in some manner or another everyone of them.Thats the trick here if you can live with the flaw and improve it like the above example then your onto something.Making FG doesn't mean a player is a finished product all it means he's reached Basecamp and there's still the mountain to climb.
  
  Talagi had FG potential written all over him the issue is fans are living in the right now where if he's good enough you project what he can be work on the flaw and then you have a player it's much like the DB critiques now everyone understands the hole he's left now he's gone I'm like SMH.
  - Prof. Daz > Coryn Hughes April 23, 2026 at 9:11am
    
    The critique of Dylbag$ was NEVER that he was not a great 5/8. It was that he kept promising to "step up" to be a 7 if Moses was out but never did. Now Brown is at Knights with 7 on his back and billions of dollars, and the Knights have played Ponga, Smith and Sharp at 7 (effectively). Go figure. Knights swallowed Dylbag$ self-hype about 7 and their experiment to see if it pans out has begun.
    
    Talagi had Brown in front of him at 6. Luai left 6 vacant for him at Panthers. It's a no-brainer and using Talagi to impale club mgmt is a fools errand IMO
    - Nightmare Off-Season > Prof. Daz April 23, 2026 at 10:01am
      
      Daz, respectfully, the criticism of Dylan Brown on this site was absolutely ridiculous, and far exceeded some 'promise' of stepping up as a halfback. It was relentless.
      
      DB said he needed to 'step up' wth Moses out, which he did in spades, his effort areas in 2024 were off the charts, he’s just not a game manager / halfback - when did he claim to be? Where was his 'self-hype' as a 7, can you show quotes?
      
      You mentioned scapegoating previously Daz, you should read over some of your previews & comments around Dylan Brown - were you not scapegoating?
      
      In 2024, when DB went to halfback, the Eels roster was very poor, yet statistically, was his best season in every attacking stat - despite the team running near last - and we know his value defensively.
      
      We had no genuine back up 7 at the club, and so DB played that role, along with his usual role of metres (more metres than any outside back at the club, and many forwards) / attack / the only cover defender - none of that changed under the game plan.
      
      Halfback is not an automatic role for a 5/8th, even a representative one, look at Munster & Luai, both struggled badly in the halfback role & are no longer relied upon for it.
      
      Why doesn't Munster just 'step up' now as the Storm are in a 5-game losing streak? Truth is, he is, he is trying hard but it’s not enough, as DB did.
      
      Coryn is spot on, finally, many fans are seeing the value DB brought to this team & how badly his loss is.
      
      Newcastle didn't swollow some 'self-hype', one of the most successful recruitment managers in the game, who has built multiple Premiership rosters, targetted Dylan for the 2nd time, and got his man...
      
      How has that worked out for us?

of 16

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"Daz, respectfully, the criticism of Dylan Brown on this site was absolutely ridiculous, and far exceeded some 'promise' of stepping up as a halfback. It was relentless.
DB said he needed to 'step up' wth Moses out, which he did in spades, his effort…"

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