The Cronulla Sharks have slumped to a three-game losing run with a 12-6 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs on Monday night.
It rounds out a winless month for Shane Flanagan's side, with a draw against the Titans coming prior to their three defeats including losses to the Dragons and Raiders.
It's a far cry from their 15-game winning streak earlier this season that stretched between Rounds 4 and 20.
While the NRL Telstra Premiership top eight is all but complete, the Canberra Raiders continue to eye off the Sharks' top two placing on the ladder and the chance to host a home qualifying final.
The Sharks' problem could extended to the match review committee with five-eighth James Maloney penalised for two high shots on Aaron Gray and Alex Johnston in the final seven minutes.
It wasn't all smooth sailing for the Rabbitohs, who lost halfback Adam Reynolds to concussion in the 26th minute following a head clash with teammate Hymel Hunt.
Souths scored the game's first try seven minutes later when five-eighth Cody Walker glided between Michael Ennis and Joseph Paulo to crash over for his seventh try of the year.
Damien Cook's penalty goal on the stroke of half-time put the Rabbitohs eight clear at the break.
The Sharks kept themselves in the contest in the 53rd minute when they scored their only try through skipper Wade Graham, with handy lead-up work from Maloney helping the back-rower isolate Rabbitoh Jason Clark in defence.
Rabbitohs winger Joe Burgess had the opportunity to close out the game in the 63rd minute but failed to take handle of a Walker chip across.
A failed short dropout by Maloney and a Chris Heighington error ended any hope of a Sharks win.
Burgess then made up for his earlier error in the final 13 seconds with a spectacular scoring effort in the corner to cap off Souths' win.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 (Cody Walker, Joe Burgess tries; Damien Cook 2 goals) defeated Cronulla Sharks 6 (Wade Graham try; James Maloney goal) at ANZ Stadium. Crowd: 7588. Half-time: Rabbitohs 8-0.
