Relieved Witt explains antics

MOMENT OF MADNESS: Michael Witt heads for the matchwinning try in which his showboating left him both embarrassed and relieved that preceded his dramatic matchwinning touchdown in Melbourne.

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Michael Witt was an embarrassed and relieved man following the showboating that preceded his dramatic matchwinning try in Melbourne last night.

Witt, who collected a Manu Vatuvei offload and scampered to score with two minutes left, ground to a halt in the in-goal and hammed it up while Storm captain Cameron Smith went within a whisker of knocking the ball loose before he finally put it down.

The Warriors standoff was busy fielding inquiries on his mobile phone after the game.

"Everyone's asking about that. I actually thought there was only one dude chasing me and when I stepped him at the end I could just stand in the in-goal and waste time," Witt said after the 18-15 win.

"But when I put the ball down someone else [Cameron Smith] was right there.

"I ended up looking like a bit of a tool and a big-noter, but it certainly wasn't the idea."

A replay of the incident showed coach Ivan Cleary in disbelief at Witt's brain fade.

"I've already spoken to Ivan. I could have been discarded from ever playing rugby league again if I'd dropped it but luckily enough I didn't," Witt said.

"It could have been the worst day of my life but we've got a win now so who cares."

It was double relief for Witt, who had just minutes earlier turned down a gilt-edged field goal opportunity which likely would have sent the game into golden point extra time.

Witt's decision eventually paid dividends, but it was a nervy few minutes.

"I really thought it [running it] was on. I thought we were a chance to score but when we didn't score, I was a bit worried," he said. "I thought maybe I'd taken the wrong decision and maybe I did, but someone was looking down on us."

- © Fairfax NZ News