Melbourne Storm prop Jordan McLean has arrived at NRL headquarters in Sydney for one of the most-anticipated judiciary hearings in the game’s long history.

McLean’s dangerous throw charge was referred directly to the judiciary after his chief involvement in a three-man tackle on Alex McKinnon left the Newcastle back-rower with a devastating spinal injury.

McKinnon remains in Melbourne’s The Alfred hospital in a serious but stable condition with a broken neck and facing the possibility of never being able to walk again.

The 22-year-old was brought out of an induced coma at the weekend following surgery last Tuesday for damage to his C4 and C5 vertebrae.

He has been conscious since and began communicating with his family on Sunday after his assisted ventilation was removed.

McLean, who is understood to have been deeply distressed by the ordeal, now faces the possibility of a lengthy suspension.

But he could also escape punishment, with the Storm expected to plead not guilty after naming the 22-year-old on the bench for Sunday’s clash with Gold Coast in Melbourne.

He had to gain special exemption to play against Canterbury last Saturday after the Storm successfully sought leave for the front-rower to play after his hearing was deferred out of respect for McKinnon’s family.

He arrived at NRL Central on Wednesday night with Nick Ghabar, who will lead his defence, while Paul Conlon SC is the judiciary chairman.

The three-man panel with the onerous task of determining McLean’s fate comprises former Test players Bob Lindner, Mal Cochrane and Chris McKenna.

In the first of a three-stage hearing, the panel must decide if McLean is guilty or not guilty after judiciary counsel, or prosecution, and defence counsel have submitted their arguments.

If McLean is found not guilty, the case is over.

If he is found guilty, the two parties will put forward their submissions as to what should be considered an appropriate penalty.

Melbourne can call upon any witnesses they please, including Kenny and Jesse Bromwich, who were also involved in the tackle on McKinnon but not charged with any wrongdoing, and bio-mechanics experts.

As per judiciary rules, those witnesses can then be questioned by the judiciary counsel.