Newcastle Knights coach has called on the NRL to consider a hybrid second-tier competition that would enable teams to combine players outside their top 17 and play internal matches.
The first-year coach admits the prospect of some players in his squad not seeing any game time in 2020 is heartbreaking.
O'Brien's comments come in response to second-tier competitions like Canterbury Cup being canceled for the year in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.
It means those beyond the starting 17 players selected week-to-week face huge mental and physical challenges of not getting regular game time.
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And while O'Brien stressed how much importance will be placed on midweek training sessions for fringe players, he would like to see the NRL step in to give more playing opportunities for such players.
"There was some talk and I don't know where we are at now, but if we can get some clubs to join up and have a hybrid competition where your players are playing each other," O'Brien said on Thursday.
"I'm really hopeful that is the case just for the sake of those guys who aren't in your 20 each week.
"I really hope that we can come to some sort of arrangement where we can get clubs to join their spare players and get them some games cause it's going to be heartbreaking watching kids train that hard all year and not get a game."
O'Brien admits he holds grave fears for the mental wellbeing of all players, not just those who face extra time on the sidelines through non-selection.
Newcastle has placed heavy emphasis on providing more mental support for its players since returning to training, and O'Brien believes the team that can manage players' minds best through the year will gain a competitive advantage.
"The mental thing is what has me the most concerned - who manages it above the shoulders best this year is going to give themselves a real advantage," he said.
The NRL is yet to release a revised fixture list for the new 20-round competition starting on May 28th, with an official announcement reportedly due next week.
While O'Brien commends the NRL for its efforts to get the game back on its feet and says it's been a relief returning to training, he's eager to learn of who his side will face in two weeks' time.
"There's things going on that I'm not privy to, they're working through it," he said. "I'm not having a crack at them because they've done a wonderful job, the NRL, to get us back.
"That was our number one, let's get footy back. But now there's a few things that are taking up the papers the last few days where the frustration is 'why do we have to talk about this now?'.
"I've been assured that they're going to get it to us as quick as they can."
