- 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
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.
I was being sarcastic mate. Curran was shit at centre which wasn't really his fault. I was just highlighting that we had a very decent centre in Russell and let him walk. So who's next, Kelly?
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.
This
Hang on, many here couldn't wait to see the back of Russell over the past few years, and now we are lamenting that we didn't offer him more to stay at Parra? We do need to fit into a salary cap. Who goes to fund all these upgrades?
Very likely the same folks who could not wait to see the back of Russell because our recruitment is shoddy in having him are now the ones critiquing recruitment as shoddy for letting him go.
It's not about the player. It's self-appointed managerial monday morning quarterbacks.
As Chief said if you have some foresight you don't let players you wish to keep, become so available that other clubs get a clean shot at them. $650k for Russell is probably thereabouts right now. We seem to have a knack for letting talent walk as they get poached by our rivals. Dylan Brown was the most obvious example.
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