The Queensland Rugby League is bemused that State of Origin scheduling has suddenly become an issue despite the Broncos complaining about it for years.

A push to play State of Origin matches as a stand alone weekend game has gained momentum after Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy emerged as a leading advocate of the scheduling change.

And it was the hot topic on Monday night after a total of 13 stars missed the Gold Coast's 18-0 NRL win over Melbourne at Skilled Park due to Origin duty.

Stand-in Melbourne coach Stephen Kearney said matches such as Monday night's dour clash were "short changing" the game.

Bellamy - who is also NSW coach - reiterated his wish for stand alone Origins, describing it as "the sensible way to go".

But QRL managing director Ross Livermore said the Broncos had been dealing with the problem since their inception.

"They are all coming out now (complaining about it) but the Broncos did it for years and it fell on deaf ears," he told AAP.

"All of a sudden it has turned around. It's another club and they (the NRL) are starting to listen."

Livermore said the NRL's TV deals had ensured the issue was in the too hard basket.

"We have asked in the past `why can't you play Origin on Friday night' and Channel Nine's answer was `why would we want to? We've already got Friday night football," Livermore said.

"From a point of view of getting the public to come to games it would be great to play it on a weekend because it's alright for us in the city we are already here.

"But the country people have to organise accommodation, flights and all that.

"It needs to be looked at, but there are TV contracts in place and there is nothing you can do in the meantime."

Livermore said he wouldn't be angry if Bellamy's high profile plea was answered by the NRL despite Broncos requests falling on deaf ears for years.

"I'd accept that (if Bellamy forced an Origin schedule change), but it hasn't just happened this year it has been happening for many years," he said.

"It would be good if we had a stand alone Origin but I realise it is not going to happen, simple as that.

"I am sympathetic to the clubs losing players but it is a simple equation - dollars and TV.

"Take that away and you can do what you like but you don't have the money, do you?"

Club anger over Origin scheduling has already forced the NRL's hand - they will reschedule the club byes again next year.

But even Bellamy sounded as though he had lost hope of the NRL announcing an Origin schedule change.

Asked if the powers were listening, Bellamy said: "Probably not, they're probably listening to people running the TV stations I'd imagine.

"They're an important part of our game, that's where a lot of our money comes from, they've got to have a say.

"But I think we've got a really good product for TV and perhaps we should be having more say because at the end of the day it's the players that are providing the entertainment, not me or not (the media) - they need to be protected a little bit I believe."

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