Michael Morgan looks set to replace the injured Billy Slater at fullback after training in the custodian role for Queensland ahead of Wednesday’s State of Origin opener.
Morgan is poised to step up for 29-Origin veteran Slater who made the shock call to pull out of Origin I on Monday with a hamstring injury.
Morgan was initially named on the Maroons’ bench as a utility.
Morgan is known as a half but switched to fullback for NRL club North Queensland this season in a bid to regain form after a stellar 2017.
Brisbane’s Anthony Milford is tipped to fill the bench vacancy created by Morgan ahead of Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga.
Broncos half Milford, who made his sole Origin appearance last year, and rookie Ponga were called into the Maroons camp on Monday night following Slater’s withdrawal.
Brisbane’s other injury concerns halfback Ben Hunt (thigh) and lock Josh McGuire (ankle) moved freely at their match eve training session at the MCG before media were asked to leave.
Slater was present at the training session along with former skipper Cameron Smith.
Queensland begin a new era on Wednesday as they start life without retired greats Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
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