- 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 (~$80k), while Perth provided better financial security and opportunity.
- A key factor: the Bears are offering him a chance to play in the halves, rather than being used as a utility/backline option.
- He becomes one of the early signings helping build the Bears’ inaugural squad under coach Mal Meninga.
Bottom line:
Parramatta unearthed a serious talent, but underpaid and under-positioned him—Perth stepped in with money, role clarity, and long-term security, and likely pinched him.
Replies
Daz, respectfully, the criticism of Dylan Brown on this site was absolutely ridiculous, and far exceeded some 'promise' of stepping up as a halfback. It was relentless.
DB said he needed to 'step up' wth Moses out, which he did in spades, his effort areas in 2024 were off the charts, he’s just not a game manager / halfback - when did he claim to be? Where was his 'self-hype' as a 7, can you show quotes?
You mentioned scapegoating previously Daz, you should read over some of your previews & comments around Dylan Brown - were you not scapegoating?
NOS, as I say to my students, if you make a claim you must a) back it up with confirmatory evidence, and/or b) ensure it is immune to contrary evidence.
First, of course there were critiques of Dylbag$ that exceeded his promises to step up. But did those critiques deny he was an excellent 5/8th? No, the vast majority critiqued him for not playing to the potential they (rightly) believed he possessed.
Second, Dylbag$ spent most of the back third of 2023 suspended for being an idiot in a night club, so if you claim I was scapegoating Dylbag$ in previews I assume you mean in 2024? I wrote three reviews that season, because I was overseas much of the year on sabbatical. So we have a small sample in which I must be scapegoating Dylbag$. But I am WFH today, so voila, easy to open those files! The R1 preview basically showed that without Moses and Brown the Eels were in trouble. The R4 preview suggested this was an opportunity for Brown to show on-field leadership. I googled and easily found early 2024 media articles where Brown criticizes himself for being "consistently inconsistent" and promised to assume more on-field leadership and direct the team like a half. So I wasn't saying anythying Brown didn't say. In the R5 preview I did not critique Brown, instead noting Talagi had defensive issues and that BA had much to answer for in not getting the team to adjust strategy without Moses.
So where is this scaepgoating of mine, of Dylbag$? You can't be meaning 2025, because once Dylbag$ left for billions at the Knights, it's fair game to say the club put alot into him and stuck by him and then he up and left so we owe him no social niceties in the end?
Did Dylbag$ then hype his 7 capacity? We know in 2019 he admitted to being off with the fairies on the field and that Moses organized him on the field. No hyping 7 going on there. But we know going into R1 of 2026 Brown was saying he knows he is playing 7 and that comes with added responsibilities to playing 6. And when asked about why he left, he talked about the security of 10 years, that he had said to Knights they were taking him as he is now (6 not a 7) but he believed in their vision. Add those together and there is no way Dylbag$ sold himself as the mercurial 6 who is gonna be off with the fairies and they should hire a 7 to let him do so.He very obviously said he could be the main man, hence why he is running about with 7 on his back.
Anyway, my point in earlier posts was simply to deflate these 1:1 critiques of on-field-form and club mgmt and R&R. I say they are scapegoating, which is why I'm happy to refute a counterclaim that I am scapegoating! And gee, even if I was, the object was different (players not playing to potential versus 'the club'). As for Brown leaving, I shared everyone's disappointment that we let the best 6 the club has bred since Brett Kenny go. But if we listen to Dylbag$, it was "security". Even though in Feb 2024 when he signed with Knights he was still contracted to 2031 with Eels. It was money FFS.
See this is the thing much like Moses DB potentially could grow into being a 7 but because fans wanted to see a finished product right now it was automatically assumed DBs not a 7.
I always said it's the reason why the club gave him that long term deal as I thought he'd do what Moses did grow into the position much like he could well do at Newcastle.That's the problem with all players there not finished products so why all of a sudden when the mantle was thrown to DB he all of a sudden needs to be upto Moses level when he'd never played 7 or given the mantle of running the team at nrl level.I'm not even going to mention structure the left and right BS the fowards getting beaten every other week injury and alike and DB is supposed to hop into the phone booth and go from Clark Kent to Superman tha imo was the issue.
I've always said this he has the traits to be a 7 he just has to be entrenched in the position not roll bowel and arseholed like he was here those last 2 years that was the real issue.You look at Moses even he struggles under similar circumstances and he's the #2 or 3 #7 in the game.
But look at him at the spooners and pacific cup they have now bet on DB we straddled the fence on him and now look 2 years he's been gone for and we still haven't got a replacement.It's so farken infuriating because if we had DB and Moses for the next 3-5 seasons I'd give us a real shot at ending this drought now we are back to square one with half a spine and burning our best players prime because of a poorly constructed contract structure.
Jesus that's seriously the issue everyone's buying the JR magic dust BS but make no mistake JR isn't winning a premiership with out real talent it's ok to have the worker type talents but in key spots you need real talent and we lost a good one in DB potentially a great one.
Sing it loud.
There are only so many 'effort' wins in a season. We just had one against the Dogs. But you can't win a comp on effort alone, you need talent. And when you're lucky enough to obtain or grow elite talent you don't let it walk out the door. If you do that you're not going anywhere as a club.
Wonder if Apa didn't come off injured after his debut, if Ryles would've given him a bash at 6 last week?? Very unfortunate timing with his injury perhaps? Or would we have never given him a chance there?
from what we've seen of gutsy Joash he ain't the one in that posi yet, Volkman did well in his opportunity. Hope he continues. Lorenzo will need to get on there very soon but understand at same time, can't just throw him into a mess either (as it was v titans).
Clearly, this year ain't gonna be our gf contest ... my hopes for this year are our young keepers get a good shot and hold them in good stead for future with some experience under their belts. The ones that are worthy are then immediately locked up.
So when back, that would Pezet hangs out in reserves until Moses is out for origin or injury and we prioritise our perceived keepers only.APA no more air time either sadly.
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