Dismayed North Queensland National Rugby League officials will use every resource available to clear Johnathan Thurston of a serious contrary conduct charge threatening to shatter his dream of a State of Origin farewell with Darren Lockyer.
The Maroons star has been being hit with a grade two contrary conduct charge following a heavy collision with referee Matt Cecchin playing against the Warriors at the weekend.
The Cowboys will claim the halfback's eyes were fixed on Warriors' five-eighth James Maloney racing for the tryline and that he didn't see Cecchin and the North Queensland general manager Peter Parr says Thurston was horrified by the charge.
If found guilty Thurston would miss Sunday's NRL clash with Penrith, the deciding Origin match in Brisbane on July the 6th and the round 18 game against Newcastle the following weekend.
