WE thought the obstruction rule was hard to understand.

The NRL's three-man judiciary panel Wednesday night made referees boss Bill Harrigan look like Captain Common Sense when it sensationally cleared Anthony Minichiello of striking Raider Josh Dugan.

Minichiello was sent off for the first time in his illustrious 13-year career on Saturday night when he leapt high off the ground twice and collected Dugan in the head the second time. Dugan required stitches to a head cut.

But with the chance to bring up his 250th game on Sunday against the Wests Tigers, Minichiello risked a three-week ban to fight the striking charge.

And judiciary panel members Don McKinnon, Mal Cochrane and Michael Buettner took 20 minutes to free former international Minichiello after he argued the tackle was "careless and clumsy, but not reckless".

To satisfy a striking charge, the NRL needed to prove Minichiello intended to hurt Dugan, or was reckless in his actions.

One insider said the NRL had got the charge wrong in the first place because a dangerous contact charge would have been more suitable given it required Minichiello to be only careless.

Minichiello, 32, said he contacted Dugan the day after the Roosters' 24-20 loss to say he was trying to wrap up the ball both times.

When he went in for the second tackle, he braced himself and anticipated a collision, only for his left arm to slam into Dugan's face.

Minichiello told the panel: "I have played this game a long time now. I've never been sent-off. It's my first time here (at the judiciary), I'm a fair player and don't go out to hurt somebody intentionally. I truly believe this wasn't striking, and just careless and clumsy on my behalf."

NRL counsel Peter Kite said there was no need for Minichiello to leap so high off the ground, and the hang time made it inevitable he would come into contact with Dugan."You jump high in the air, your arm is across your body, so the contact is inevitable, isn't it?" Kite asked Minichiello.

Most league fans will wonder how Minichiello got off but he can not be blamed for wanting to roll the dice, especially given his clean record.

Roosters fans will be delighted, as will officials who have spent weeks preparing for Mini's milestone bash.

"It's a fantastic outcome for myself," said Minichiello, who was represented by lawyer James McLeod. "I'm really happy with the hearing.

"The system gives you the opportunity to plead your case, and we did that tonight.

"It will be nice to finish with two wins. It's a big day for the club on Sunday. We've always had really good clashes against the Tigers, and we're looking forward to another.

"I contacted 'Duges' the next day. We had a good chat, and he was fine. He said there was no intent there."

Originally published as Minichiello cleared at judiciary