Matt Gillett escapes NRL ban for tripping

Brisbane's Matt Gillett has escaped suspension for tripping North Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston in Friday night's NRL semi-final loss.

The second-rower was slapped with a grade one charge by the match review committee for the incident but, with no carry-over points, will be free to play in round one next season.

Gillett was placed on report for tripping the Cowboys' playmaker in the 78th minute, before the match went into extra time.

Thurston went on to set up Michael Morgan's match-winning try in the 85th minute.