In a rare show of solidarity key NSW and Queensland figures have backed Johnathan Thurston to avoid suspension and take his part in the deciding State of Origin match at Suncorp Stadium next month.

Queensland skipper Darren Lockyer on Monday described the incident in which the Cowboys half made contact with referee Matt Cecchin as a regular occurrence while the retiring playmaker's thoughts were echoed by opposition sources - Blues assistant coach Trent Barrett and star back Jarryd Hayne.

Thurston will fight for his place in the July 6 Origin decider when he fronts the NRL judiciary on Wednesday night to answer a grade two contrary conduct charge.

He'll firstly plead not guilty and if that fails an argument will be mounted to have the charge downgraded - a one week suspension enough to see him pulling on a maroon jumper in a fortnight's time.

While comfortable the Maroons had a "pretty good replacement" in Cooper Cronk, Lockyer said he'd love to have Thurston by his side for what will be the veteran's 36th and final appearance for Queensland.

"Every Queenslander's got his fingers crossed and no matter what I say or anyone else says, it's not going to influence the judiciary," Lockyer said.

"Players make contact with the referee regularly in a game. That one just got more attention because he took a good tumble.

"In the end, it's not up to me or anyone else, it's up to the guys who sit at the judiciary.

"If JT's unable to play, you've got a pretty good replacement in Cooper Cronk but in saying that you'd just love to have JT out there.

"If the worst case scenario happens, someone like Cooper know's the system, he's know the game plan."

Barrett - in attendance at a women in league function in Sydney - said the Blues would rather beat Queensland at full strength than rely on a helping hand from the judiciary and conceded Thurston should be playing anyway.

"If we were to win the series, we'd like to beat them at their best," Barrett said.

"Obviously he's a huge part of their team ... and we're expecting him to be there.

"Referees get stuck in the wrong spot at times and it's pretty hard to avoid a collision at times."

Barrett said a downgraded charge with a one week suspension should be the most punishment Thurston receives while Hayne suggested he should walk.

"I think he'll get off, there's not much he could have done," Hayne said.

The Cowboys are expected to offer up several different video angles to support claims Thurston's eyes were fixed on Warriors five-eighth James Maloney when he bundled into the back of Cecchin during Saturday's match against the Warriors.

They may also argue Cecchin took one or multiple steps into Thurston's path as he raced across in cover defence.

Meanwhile, Thurston's team-mate Tariq Sims, touted as a NSW Origin bolter, will try to have his charge for a 'crusher' tackle against the Warriors downgraded from a grade two to a grade one, which would allow him to play against the Panthers at Centrebet Stadium on Sunday.

Thurston, Sims and Cowboys football manager Peter Parr departed for Sydney on Tuesday for the hearing because of the uncertainly surrounding flights affected by volcanic ash.

The Cowboys have employed the services of solicitor Geoff Bellew, who has rushed back from Los Angeles for the hearing.

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