Cronk seals Storm win over Tigers
Cooper Cronk has piloted Melbourne to a controversial golden-point 19-18 win over Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
The Tigers' Mitch Moses and Luke Brooks missed shots at field goal in extra time as did the Storm's Cameron Smith before Cronk booted the winner in front of a disappointed crowd of 9,216.
It marked the home side's fifth straight loss.
The Storm looked headed for victory after dubious tries to debutant Suliasi Vunivlau and Marika Koroibete before a late four-pointer to Kevin Naiqama and penalty goal to Jordan Rankin evened things up.
However Cronk, who has proved the match-winner for Queensland on many occasions, slotted the winner.
The Tigers could count themselves unlucky after Vunivlau scored a controversial four-pointer in the 53rd to reclaim the lead for the Storm.
In the lead up Vunivalu collected Tigers fullback James Tedesco with a high shot which dislodged the ball and the Storm ran downfield to score.
When Vunivalu crossed in the right corner for his second of the day, Tedesco was still 50 metres behind the play with a head injury.
The Tigers would have been questioning why the play was allowed to go on after Vunivalu was subsequently put on report and Tedesco left the field temporarily for a concussion test.
A Marika Koroibete try five minutes later put the visitors further in front however the Ben Hampton pass in the lead up looked forward.
Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona should have been sin-binned for a second half trip on Tedesco which will see him come under the scrutiny of the match review committee.
