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. James Tedesco
Club: Sydney Roosters; Origin appearances: 7; 2019 TOTW selections: 3
Seems to be going from strength to strength in 2019 with another fine display in the Roosters win over the Sharks. Recorded 113 metres while crossing for a try before having a hand in two more.
2. Josh Addo-Carr
Club: Melbourne Storm; Origin appearances: 3; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
Showed why he is regarded as one of the game's best finishers with two second-half tries to help the Storm get their fifth consecutive win for 2019. Topped off his performance with 102 run metres and seven tackle-breaks.
3. Latrell Mitchell
Club: Sydney Roosters; Origin appearances: 3; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
Without doubt, his best performance of 2019 which was highlighted by a scintillating 60m try on the stroke of half-time. Proved unstoppable in his try-assist for Tedesco early in the second-half and finished with 142 run metres, four tackle-breaks, and 5/5 conversions.
4. Euan Aitken
Club: St George Illawarra Dragons; Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
Got his side off to the perfect start with a strong surge from close-range for opening points and proved tough to handle with five tackle-breaks.
5. Josh Mansour
Club: Penrith Panthers; Origin appearances: 4; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
Was a solid performance from Mansour in losing Panthers outfit. Crossed for a nice try on the back off a slick offload from Nathan Cleary and worked hard out of his own end with 113 run metres.
6. Cody Walker (C)
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
Simply the best player in Round 5. Walker produced arguably the best performance of his career with four tries and a try-assist. Was instrumental in the Rabbitohs comeback win over the Warriors and is making a compelling case for a sky-blue jersey later in the year.
7. Luke Brooks
Club: Wests Tigers; Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
The Tigers raced out to a comfortable lead midway through the second-half and Brooks was key in them doing so. It's no secret his running game has been his main focus with 20 runs and 158 running metres while recording a line-break and try-assist.
8. Alex Twal
Club: Wests Tigers; Origin appearances 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
Fast becoming a leader of the Tigers forward-pack and his tireless effort on Thursday night epitomises exactly why. Chalked up a mammoth 58 tackles while also running for 118 metres in a monster performance.
9. Damien Cook
Club: South Sydney Rabbitohs; Origin appearances 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 3
Caused plenty of havoc out of dummy-half against the Warriors with 172 run metres and a line-break which lead to his assist for Walker's first try. Matched the stature of his attacking brilliance with 41 tackles in another strong display in the no.9 jersey.
10. Paul Vaughan
Club: St George Illawarra Dragons; Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 4
Becoming a mainstay in the TOTW's for 2019 with another barnstorming display on Sunday afternoon. An injury in the second-half cut short his game time but that didn't stop him from recording 140 run metres, three tackle-breaks, and 22 tackles.
11. Boyd Cordner
Club: Sydney Roosters; Origin appearances: 9; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
A true captain's knock on Saturday night with a strong performance on the left-edge fo the Roosters. Lead the charge with 165 metres and a powerful carry for his first try of the season before matching his efforts in defence with 26 tackles.
12. Bryce Cartwright
Club: Gold Coast Titans; Origin appearances: 0 2019 TOTW selections: 1
Slowly working his way back to his best with one of his most impressive performances in a Titans jersey. Recorded 84m, 28 tackles and a try in a strong 80-minute display. Will be instrumental if the Titans are to work their way back up the competition ladder.
13. Jake Trbojevic
Club: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles; Origin appearances: 6; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
There's little doubt as to why Trbojevic is one of the premier forward's in Rugby League with another inspirational performance against the Knights. Made 132m and a whopping 45 tackles but it was his deft grubber for Joel Thompson's try that was arguably the most impressive.
14. Luke Keary
Club: Sydney Roosters; Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 3
In career-best form at the moment and his three try-assists against the Sharks say it all. Laid on tries for Cronk and Cordner on either side of half-time but his pinpoint cross-field kick for Mitchell's 60m dash was a cut above the rest.
15. Luke Garner
Club: Wests Tigers; Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 2
Making the Tigers left-edge his own in 2019 and again found himself on the scoresheet on Thursday night. Pounced on a Michael Chee-Kam offload for a crucial try in the first-half before racking up 40 tackles in another tireless display.
16. Ryan James
Club: Gold Coast Titans; Origin appearances: 0; 2019 TOTW selections: 1
His shift back to the front-row has paid dividends with his best performance of 2019 against the Panthers. Integral to their hard-fought victory with 127m and 43 tackles.
17. Tyson Frizell
Club: St George Illawarra Dragons; Origin appearances: 7 2019 TOTW selections: 2
It was the Dragons best performance of the 2019 season and it's largely thanks to their forward-pack and particuarly, Frizell. Recorded 105 metres and 19 tackles in another strong display for the Red V.
