Sydney Swans star Kieren Jack speaks from bitter experience when he says NRL superstar Johnathan Thurston would be a lot lighter in the pocket this week if he played in the AFL.

Thurston was cleared of a contrary conduct charge on Wednesday, after he collided with referee Matt Cecchin in North Queensland's win over the Warriors last Saturday.

Had he been found guilty, Thurston would have been banned for two matches and unavailable to play for Queensland in the third and deciding State of Origin match in Brisbane.

The NRL judiciary panel ruled the contact unintentional.

In recent years numerous AFL players have incurred fines for making contact with an umpire.

Midfielder Jack, who won the Swans' best and fairest award last year, also played rugby league at junior level, and has been pinged on two occasions.

He was fined $900 in 2010 for negligent contact and another $1800 earlier this season on the same charge.

Jack has strong ties to rugby league through his father Garry, the former Balmain, NSW and Kangaroos fullback.

"I'm glad he's playing I don't think he deserved to be rubbed out for what he did," Jack said of Thurston on Thursday.

"But if you did that in AFL, I reckon he'd cop a fair fine.

"I certainly know, I've copped a few fines for running into a few umpires."

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