Carlaw called up as 18th man for Maroons

Brisbane forward Dane Carlaw has joined the Queensland team as it's 18th man ahead of tonight's rugby league State of Origin series opener at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.

Carlaw trained with his club this morning and then joined the Maroons at their city hotel in case of any last minute problems. The Queenslanders have wrapped up their game one preparations with team walk this morning.

The Origin opener will be played in front of a sellout crowd on a dry ground with Queensland starting as favourites.