St George Illawarra insist they're treating the Jack de Belin situation just like any injury or suspension headed into Saturday's clash with North Queensland.
And coach Paul McGregor is adamant the spotlight around the drama needs to move on as well, with the focus finally able to return to the playing field.
The Dragons flew to Townsville on Thursday minus the NSW State of Origin lock, who has been stood down as part of the game's controversial no-fault policy.
De Belin will be out until at least round six when he is scheduled to challenge the new rule in the Federal Court. Meanwhile, the 27-year-old strenuously maintains he is innocent of a sexual assault charge.
"It's been done; he's going back to court in a month. We should be getting on with rugby league this weekend," McGregor told reporters at Sydney Airport on Thursday.
"It's like getting an injury in a team, you just get on with it. We are, (the media) aren't because we're talking about it again today."
McGregor was also adamant his team hadn't lost their focus as the debate continued about de Belin's ban.
"It's pretty easy to be honest because it's out of our control," McGregor said.
"We go to training and nothing changes, we're just one player down. We just move on to what needs to be done.
"Jack is still a part of our group, unfortunately he's not available to play. So the person that comes in gets a good opportunity to play in the position."
De Belin was due to push for a court injunction on Thursday before calling things off earlier this week and opting to wait until April's hearing.
Even if he'd successfully gone on with the bid, though, it's understood the Dragons would not have played him against the Cowboys. He was not named on Tuesday on welfare grounds.
As a result, Tyson Frizell has moved to lock from the second row, having started in the middle for the Dragons just three times in the past two years.
He has however starred in the No.13 jersey for NSW, with McGregor confident about the move and his decision to start Jacob Host on the right edge.
"Tyson's a versatile player who has played middle third for NSW and Australia," McGregor said.
"He's a powerful forward and the more involved in the game, the better the team is. He will handle that role really well."
