Dumped NSW forward Trent Merrin says his demotion has made him hungrier to wear the Blues jersey in next year's State of Origin series.

Merrin was cut from Ricky Stuart's 20-man NSW squad on Friday and played for St George Illawarra in Sunday's 14-10 loss to Newcastle at WIN Stadium.

"He's a top bloke, Sticky, and it wasn't like a cut-throat sort of thing," Merrin said.

"He said to me, being so young, I'm just going to learn from the experience, which I have, and just build from there.

"It's probably given me more motivation to want to get back into the Blues jersey and, not really prove myself, but work to that level of the game.

"It wasn't cutting, just a learning experience."

The 21-year-old, whose role in Origin II was restricted to just 12 minutes when captain Paul Gallen played an unexpected 80, said Stuart had spoken with him on Friday morning.

"Sticky pulled me aside and just had a few words to me and, mate, I was happy with it," Merrin said.

"I thought I'd do anything for the team and, if this is what they want to do, then so be it, I'll back them 100 per cent.

"I'm just thankful for being in the team and having the opportunity.

"I didn't think I'd get to that stage so young and so early so I just took all the positives out of it."

He will head back into Blues camp in a morale-boosting role this week but will be watching one of the most anticipated Origin clashes of all time from the stands.

"I'm flying up there and getting back into the camp on Tuesday with the boys and hopefully give them a few laughs and chill them out for a bit," he said.

Meanwhile, Dragons coach Wayne Bennett refused to buy into the debate about releasing surplus NSW squad members back to their clubs.

St George Illawarra winger Brett Morris may not play for the Blues if centre Michael Jennings is fit, with Jarryd Hayne to stay on the left wing, but was not able to play for the Dragons on Sunday.

"I've gotto assume he's going to play so, until that's shown not to be the case, I'll just stay out of it," Bennett said.

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