The push for stand-alone State of Origin will receive another voice on Friday night when NRL premiers St George Illawarra face Brisbane, with up to 11 men playing for the second time in 48 hours.

Just a week after sending a severely-depleted side up against Gold Coast due to Origin commitments, the Dragons are facing a similarly-farcical situation this week.

Six of their players will have to make the mad dash from Origin II in Sydney on Wednesday night to Brisbane two days later - the Broncos' plight only slightly better, with five players due to back up against the ladder leaders.

Provided all his players pull through Origin II unscathed, Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin is poised to end his policy of not asking them to back up after representative duty.

Dragons' centre Mark Gasnier admitted finding a solution to the burnout issue was difficult, particularly with this year's premiership race so tight.

"You put yourself in a coach's situation and, depending where you are on the ladder is dependent on what you're going to do with your players," Gasnier said.

"It's fine for you to say you've got this policy that you rest (players), but if you're desperate and you need to win a game to put yourself into a certain situation, you're going to play your best players, aren't you?"

The Dragons had had a draw and a loss over the past fortnight, after just one defeat in their opening 11 games, while the Broncos had gone on a three-game losing streak, with Griffin's decision to rest players following rep games.

"Players and people have accepted what's in place. Players back up, we enjoy backing up," Gasnier said.

"Towards the back end of the season, yes, you do feel the effects, but you do still love going back to your team and playing with your teammates.

"It's kind of a respect thing."

Gasnier admitted any solution to the status of Origin matches was still some time away, despite reports the NRL was already making moves toshift next year's interstate games to a Monday night to ease the strain on elite players.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP