Apa Twidle's Heartfelt Tribute to Late Coach Paul Brown After NRL Debut
More than anything else, Apa Twidle deeply wishes he could express his gratitude to his late coach, Paul Brown, for setting him on the path to an emotional NRL debut with the Parramatta Eels. Five years before scoring two crucial tries against the Wests Tigers on Easter Monday, Twidle was a homesick 16-year-old who had moved from New Zealand to Queensland in pursuit of his NRL dream.
"My first weekend, I called my mum and said, 'Get my flight back'. It was incredibly tough," Twidle recalled, highlighting the initial struggles of his transition.
From Homesickness to Father Figure: Brown's Impact
Twidle's manager connected him with local footy coach Paul Brown, but the young Kiwi knew no one else in Brisbane at the time. Brown coached Twidle in the Queensland Rugby League's Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cup competitions, as well as at the local club Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies. Beyond the field, Brown served as a father figure during what Twidle, now 21, describes as "one of the hardest times" of his life.
"I lived with him in Brisbane, he trained me hard, he looked after me, and he never asked for anything in return," Twidle said, emphasizing Brown's selfless support.
Brown remained a constant presence in Twidle's life even after he moved to Sydney to advance his career, joining Parramatta's SG Ball team and eventually graduating to the NSW Cup. However, in late August last year, during the week his daughter was born, Twidle's world was shattered when he learned that Brown had passed away after privately battling cancer.
Unspoken Struggles and Lasting Regrets
"I didn't even get him to have a photo with my daughter. That hurt me quite a bit," Twidle shared, his voice filled with emotion. "He didn't tell anyone how sick he was. That's just the type of guy he was—he never made anything about himself."
Seven months later, Twidle was named on the Eels' six-man bench for the Round 5 clash against the Tigers, though he seemed unlikely to actually take the field. He even advised his mother not to fly over from New Zealand for the game, assuming he would only play if multiple injuries occurred.
A Dream Debut Against All Odds
When teammates Sean Russell (head knock), Jonah Pezet (hamstring), and Bailey Simonsson (ankle) all sustained injuries, Twidle answered the Eels' call. In a stunning turn of events, he scored from his first touch as an NRL player with a freakish put-down on the right wing, then helped the Eels draw level with a second try.
Fortunately, Twidle's mother, Pura, ignored his advice and booked a last-minute ticket to fly to Sydney on Monday morning. "When I went to my mum after full-time, we didn't even say anything—we just started crying," Twidle recounted. "Tears of joy, obviously. It was pouring out, that emotion. It was like, this is what we did it for."
Honoring Brown's Legacy on and off the Field
An AC joint injury will sideline Twidle for the upcoming match against the Gold Coast on Sunday. However, each time coach Jason Ryles selects him for another first-grade game, Twidle plans to write Brown's initials on the strapping tape around his wrist, just as he did against the Tigers. This simple act ensures that his coach will always be with him on game day, mirroring the support Brown provided from the moment Twidle arrived in Australia to chase his dream.
"That's why I write his name with me. He's with me everywhere. He's with me all the time," Twidle affirmed. "I just want to do everything for him. He's the reason why I'm here."
