JT is free to play Origin III

Queensland Origin star Johnathan Thurston is free to play in the decider after beating a contrary conduct charge at the NRL judiciary tonight.

The North Queensland half was in danger of missing this weekend’s club game against Penrith and the much-anticipated Origin III after colliding with referee Matt Cecchin last Saturday night against the Warriors.

However, the all-NSW judiciary of Ian Roberts, Sean Garlick and Michael Buettner took less than an hour to exonerate Thurston, freeing the Kangaroos No. 7 to play in the most –anticipated interstate clash in more than half a decade.

Queensland is gunning for their sixth consecutive series win, but must bounce back from an 18-8 defeat in Origin II.

The only player to play in every one of the Maroons' series triumphs since 2006 would have been a big loss going into next month's winner-take-all showdown.

Thurston’s citing drew cries of blue-blooded conspiracies north of the Tweed and a lengthy and passionate battle in the media of both states.

Brisbane’s Courier Mail went so for a sending the NRL a petition calling for the case to be thrown out, while Sydney’s Daily Telegraph said Thurston was a serial offender who deserved to be rubbed out for the Suncorp Stadium decider.

Thurston, the runaway leader in the Dally M race, keeps all his points and is free to play the Panthers this Sunday.

His barrister, Alan Sullivan QC, was able to convince the judiciary that the contact between Thurston and Cecchin was accidental, not negligent.

“I could see the break happening, I had my eyes on (Warriors try scorer) Feleti (Mateo),’’ Thurston said.

“At no point have I seen the referee until I collided with him.’’

Asked what he was attempting to do when he crashed into the back of Cecchin, Thurston said: ‘‘I was trying to stop the try from happening.

“I didn’t even try and brace (for impact) because I didn’t see him until the point of contact.’’