Champion playmaker Darren Lockyer took his first steps towards playing Wednesday night's State of Origin opener, running on his injured ankle 24 hours ahead of schedule.

On a rough, dry football field at Brisbane's Enoggera Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland's No.1 player tested out his right ankle in a 20 minute solo session closely watched by team doctor Roy Saunders and physiotherapist Scott Thornton.

All eyes were on Lockyer who ran at half pace in straight lines, stopping mid-session to have his ankle strapped.

When he finished, his still deeply bruised and slightly swollen ankle was immediately wrapped in an ice bag.

All going well, Lockyer could train with the team on Friday although that step could be delayed until the weekend should the team's medical staff feel it's too risky.

Centre Justin Hodges trained with his troublesome knee heavily strapped but was confident it would be right in six days time.

It was a good 24 hours for Queensland with lock Dallas Johnson giving the camp a massive fillip Wednesday night when his grade two careless high tackle charge was down graded to enable him to play on Wednesday night.

When the news was relayed to the team, on their way to a dinner in Toowoomba following a fan day on Wednesday, players cheered and clapped in the bus.

"Dallas is such a big part of the side and to have him cleared to play is a big boost to the team," said teammate Jacob Lillyman.

"Talking to him yesterday he wasn't all that confident. He was definitely worried about it but everyone's happy with the result."

Almost 3,000 fans turned out at Toowoomba's Clive Berghofer Stadium to see the Queensland team and the players stayed back until 7pm to sign autographs.

The players' shirts were auctioned at a special dinner which raised close to $20,000 for South West Rugby League.

Surprisingly, Johnathan Thurston's shirt pulled the biggest bid of the night at $3,100, some $500 more than Lockyer's.

The players sharpened their sights on Thursday with some target practice at the army barracks using bullet-less assault rifles operated by laser sightings.

Team manager and former Queensland and Australian hooker Steve Walters proved the best shot.

His grouping would have easily qualified him for the infantry according to Warrant Officer, Graham McBean.

Prop Petero Civoniceva didn't fare quite so well and will have to save his best for the battlefield of Suncorp Stadium.

Fullback Karmichael Hunt will be in the Blues' sights on Wednesday night but the 20 year-old said he expected to be targeted defensively and by the NSW kickers.

"You expect it in NRL and it's going to be a tough enough challenge bringing the ball back in Origin," said Hunt, who has recovered from a minor knee injury.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP