The big winners of Round 19 were...
Cronulla Sharks, who after some differing losses to Melbourne and Brisbane spent their bye week preparing their week for a potentially decisive clash with an in-form Dolphins side fighting for their own survival.
They controlled the first half, led from start to finish and moved two points away from the Dolphins to stay level with both Manly and Sydney, albeit having played one more game than the pair.
Fitzgibbon said the bye "was a good time to reset and re-evaluate where we're at", telling media that they've spent time working on preventing last-play tries and winning one-percenters. They tackled at an 89% effectiveness rate and kept the second-highest scorers (per game) of the competition scoreless for more than 65 minutes in what must be a very heart-warming victory for their supporters.
"Six weeks ago we were second in the NRL for defence and we’ve just had a really poor month, particularly on last plays,” Fitzgibbon told reporters after their 24-12 victory.
"I think before the bye against Melbourne we were far better defensively and we still ended up losing 30-6. It knocks your confidence around.
“Tonight was a much better defensive performance, but it shows how quick things can change in the NRL.
“We stepped a little in the right direction last week (against the Storm) and again tonight, but it still needs some work.”
The big losers of Round 19 were...
St George Illawarra look well and truly cooked in 2025 now, after losing four of their last five matches including to Cronulla, Sydney Roosters and the Dolphins.
It took less than three minutes for their porous defence to be penetrated by the charging Roosters, and Daniel Tupou's second try just ten minutes into the game was embarrassingly easy.
Whilst there were some slick and stylish tries from the Dragons backs in an entertaining first half, their season could just about be summed up by the poor defensive showing, including when they conceded a try just moments after Sydney's Sam Walker was sent to the sin bin.
It was an all-round humiliating night for the joint venture club after just five members of their 2010 Premiership-winning side chose to attend the game at Kogarah for a special 15-year reunion.
They have now lost eight out of 11 games as underdogs this season and look set to start at least their next five as outsiders, including against Canterbury, Canberra and New Zealand.
Is Dylan Brown's season coming to a premature end?
Parramatta's regular number six Dylan Brown looks to now be on the outer at the Eels after his current head coach Jason Ryles made the shock call to dump him for rookie Joash Papalii, instead starting Brown at hooker before moving him to lock after some time on the bench.
It must be an admission of sorts from Ryles that their 2025 campaign is already over after he told reporters that "the future starts now" when explaining his decision to begin moving on from Brown in their ninth-last game of the season.
It's probably a realistic approach to take, for even though the Eels are only three wins outside the eight with eight games to be played, they're now on a run of four losses from five games having been outclassed by likely finalists Penrith and Canterbury, whilst they will next face a potentially horrendous trilogy of games against Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane.
They then finish their home and away season against Brown's future employers - earlier this year he signed to join Newcastle Knights in 2026 on a ten-year deal worth an eyewatering $13-14 million.
Ken Irvine Medal Leaderboard
There was little movement near the top of the try scoring charts this week, though St George Illawarra's Tyrell Sloan has added three in his last two games to move to 12.
Try of the Week: Round 19
How about the blistering speed from both Kotoni Staggs and Reece Walsh to combine for this entertaining try in the Broncos' win over the Titans!
