The NRL match review committee had only two camera angles which were partially obstructed to use as evidence when they opted not to lay a serious eye gouging charge against Cowboys menace Josh McGuire.

As the fallout from the controversial North Queensland-Melbourne clash rumbles on with both referees set to be relegated, NRL head of football Annesley stressed the code's independent match review officials couldn't refer McGuire straight to the judiciary on the more serious offence.

Cleared: Josh McGuire appeared to have attempted to gouge Cameron Munster's eye. Credit:Nine

McGuire entered an early guilty plea on Monday and will be fined $3350 for making contact with the face of Queensland teammate Cameron Munster in the Cowboys' loss to the Storm on Friday night. He was charged with grade one contrary conduct.

Video evidence showed McGuire deliberately raking at Munster's face, but the Melbourne No.6 didn't lodge an on-field complaint and match reviewers weren't convinced they had enough evidence to suggest McGuire was targetting Munster's eyes.