- 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
Nanva won't be three and i doubt Simmo will recover from that injury.
Super, so we started the century every 5 yrs being good then it blew out to every 10 years and now we're afraid it will be 2042 before we're good again?!
Yeah it's scapegoating Daz, but occaisionally a blood sacrifice is necessary. What do we have to lose if 1 or 2 at Head office get it in the neck....they do seem to kind of suck.
The blood sacrifices would soon be like the Monty Python song 'Brave Little Robin', where 'off with their heads' never ends?!
If we won a comp next year for example, who would get the praise? Ryles is would as he should but MON and co. Would get stuff all praise. It would be we won in spite of them.
And MON wouldn't care about praise either.
We're not getting close to a comp any time soon. And MON should get the blame for that.
That sounds like you are blaming recruitment for player attitude there Mutts. We have seen what our players are capable of if their attitude is right. Build on that, make it part of the Parra DNA and success will inevitable come. Of course though R&R needs to ensure they fill gaps in the squad with quality players, but you can't buy premierships - Easts have tried that for years with very limited success.
You need attitude but you also need athletic talent. You can't reach the promised land on guts and determination alone. You'll get a few wins throughout the year but to win the whole thing you need a side with rep quality in important positions. That's what is missing for our club and has been for years. In fact we seem to enjoy getting rid of rep quality.
You're right to some degree Muttman but I disagree to a certain extent. We have plenty of talent that can score points but I also feel we overlook player like Guymer and Samrani because they're not Kikau or Herbie Farneorth etc etc. Guymer and Samrani are great competitors that compete on every play, they keep showing up in defence where guys like Tulagi or Kelly don't. Their effort outweighs their lack of world class talent. If we can find a team that of Guymer and Samrani's, Moses, TDS, Penisini and Iongi ( our more talented players) are more than capable of scoring points
I would've copped a little bit overs for Russell. Loved watching his rise .hope I wasn't one who bagged him at start
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