Each week of the NRL season, the NSWRL.com.au staff writers will have their say on the round's best performing New South Welshmen. These are based entirely on the opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSWRL or the selection process for the Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues. Captaincy is awarded based on that week’s on-field performance and is not based on club captaincy or leadership qualities.
1. Clint Gutherson
Club: Parramatta Eels; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 4
The Eels were trailing at half-time but Gutherson took it upon himself to spark his side with a dynamic 60m effort to bring Bankwest Stadium to light. Topped off his performance with 252m and four tackle-breaks in another strong performance in the No.1 jersey.
2. Blake Ferguson
Club: Parramatta Eels; NSW Origin appearances: 7; 2019 TOTW selections:
Has well and truly established himself as one of, if not, the premier wingers in the competition with another impressive performance on Sunday. Ran for 194m and his try in the second-half was crucial to give the Eels' a gritty victory over the Dragons.
3. Latrell Mitchell (c)
Club: Sydney Roosters; NSW Origin appearances: 3; 2019 TOTW selections: 4
Latrell Mitchell produced arguably one of the most stunning individual displays in recent memory against the Tigers on Saturday. His hat-trick of tries included two long range efforts while also bustling his way through countless tackles en route to two try-assists. His efforts in defence were just as admirable with a defiant chase on Mahe Fonua late in the game. Well and truly in a league of his own.
4. Jarrod Croker
Club: Canberra Raiders; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
It was another fine captains knock from Croker against the Panthers and has showed why he is their revered leader. Recorded one line-break along with one line-break assist and his perfect day with the boot helped ice an emphatic win and cement his side a place in the top-four.
5. Reuben Garrick
Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
Finds himself in the TOTW two weeks in a row after his impressive haul on Saturday night against the Bulldogs. Not only did he cross for two tries but was responsible for all of the Sea Eagles 18 points as he maintained a perfect 5/5 kicking record.
6. Cody Walker
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 4
Everything he touches turns to gold and there's little doubt that Cody Walker is the in-form five-eighth of the competition in 2019. Gave Souths a blistering start with two unanswered tries in the first-half, both of which were gallant chases of the ball before laying on a nice pass for Kyle Turner's four-pointer moments before half-time.
7. Mitchell Pearce
Club: Newcastle Knights; NSW Origin appearances: 18; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
Has gone to another level in back-to-back weeks and put in another scintillating display against the Warriors. Gave the Knights a flying start with a determined effort for the opening try before having a hand in three more to give the Knights two valuable competition points away from home.
8. James Tamou
Club: Penrith Panthers; NSW Origin appearances: 8; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
It was a more than disappointing result for the Panthers on Saturday but Tamou's performance was certainly something to be proud of. Lead from the front with 172m and 31 tackles before finishing with a powerful try late in the second-half to round of his impressive outing in a losing side.
9. Damien Cook
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; NSW Origin appearances: 3; 2019 TOTW selections: 4
The Rabbitohs enjoyed a dominant victory in their grudge match against the Broncos and it was Cook who helped orchestrate the attacking masterclass. Recorded one line-break and two line-break assists before icing the victory with a hand in their final two tries while also making 47 tackles.
10. David Klemmer
Club: Newcastle Knights; NSW Origin appearances: 6; 2019 TOTW selections: 5
Klemmer proved unstoppable on Sunday and his momentum through the middle-third was an integral part of the Knights victory. Ran for a whopping 207m ,including 72 post-contact metres, while recording 24 tackles. Another fearless display from the enforcer.
11. Boyd Cordner
Club: Sydney Roosters; NSW Origin appearances: 11: 2019 TOTW selections: 4
The Roosters just go from strength to strength 2019 and so too does their captain, Boyd Cordner. Lead from the front with 142 running metres and his try on the stroke of full-time was well deserved after another tireless display.
12. John Sutton
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 0
Making the Rabbitohs left-edge his own in 2019 and was a key figure in the Rabbitohs big win over the Broncos. Recorded 125 run metres and 17 tackles before crossing for the final try of the game and celebrating with Greg Inglis' trademark goanna.
13. Cameron Murray
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 6
His 105 metres and 37 tackles say enough about Murray's peformance on Thursday night but he also caught the eye with his ridiculously quick play-the-ball for Sutton's try late in the contest. Matched the stature of the Broncos forward pack and making a compelling case for representative honours in the near-future.
14. Luke Keary
Club: Sydney Roosters; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 3
Luke Keary was in everything on Saturday for the Roosters and engineered another attacking masterclass for the tri-colours. Gave a nice pass for Mitchell's first try before the powerful centre returned serve with a barnstorming carry to get Keary's name on the scoresheet.
15. Jordan McLean
Club: North Queensland Cowboys; NSW Origin appearances: 0: 2019 TOTW selections: 3
While Jason Taumalolo deserves significant praise for his stunning return form injury Mclean also proved instrumental in the Cowboys win over the Titans. Ran for 134m and worked hard in defence with 34 tackles to inspire Paul Green's men to victory.
16. Alex Twal
Club: Wests Tigers; NSW Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 3
Fast becoming a leader amongst men at the Tigers and produced another strong effort in a losing Tigers side. Aimed up against a powerful Rposters forward pack with 105m while also making 45 tackles.
17. Jake Trbojevic
Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles; NSW Origin appearances: 2019 TOTW selections: 6
There's little surprise that Trbojevic finds himself in the TOTW once again after helping the Sea Eagles to a tough win over the Bulldogs. Worked hard for every metre with 135m from 14 carries and also recording 38 tackles in the process.
