- 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
Who says he had to be our 3rd place FB? We've waited years for him to debut and punted him straight after. What was literally the point?
They obviously don't want him hence the offer. Is that a good call? Who knows. But it's not as if we're brimming with rep quality outside backs at our club.
So you would have paid Russell $650k?
Should we go for Josh Curran as a centre instead? We might get him for 350k. He's very good and we save money.
We have two NRL centre spots we need to fill with high quality NRL level players. If not Russell, who?
He's not a centre and what he dished up the other night should be enough to give any coach a moment of pause.
That was negligence on Ciraldo's part more so.
Answer my question though would you paid Russell what Perth paid? As you complain we lost Russell where mind you this time last year had we signed him up long term everyone here would have said what the hell MON doing. I wish we kept Russell but for that money?
As for Centre options well Samrani could be one and Will is more likely staying. If he doesn't we will have to see, Tago, Timoko and Xerri could still be options.
LB with developing players like Russell who is improving every year, you don't let it get to a stage where other clubs like the bears can negotiate in November, you get onto the front foot and use foresight and i guarantee Russell would have stayed.
Tell us all, how could the bears offer 3 years before November 1st ??? You can't, because o'neill failed yet again and we ended up with a lesser player in Kelly
Thats life under mark o'neill
I actually agree that we should've kept Russell, and paid *slight* overs if possible.
Well parramatta only offered him 80k a year, so they could be to bothered if he went or not, if they wanted him to stay they would of offered a lot more, we have other options & better options, he's defence isn't up to it, and it hasn't improved that much either since SG Ball.
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