Carlson made his first class debut for Queensland when he was only 18, as a batsman. He scored 85 in his second game and began bowling as a back up bowler. He scored his first century in 1971–72 – the same season saw him pick up his first five wicket haul.

In 1973 he played a season of cricket in the Lancashire League for Bacup. He scored 686 runs and took 64 wickets.

In 1977/78 Carlson scored 103 against South Australia. He later made 107 against Western Australia.

In April 1978 he and Ian Brayshaw represented Australia at the international indoor double wicket competition in England.

Some strong performances at the beginning of the 1978–79 season saw Carlson picked in Australia's side for the first test. He was made 12th man for that and the second test. He was dropped for the third test in favour of Alan Border, although was kept on to play a one-day international.^[13]

Carlson then scored a century and took ten wickets in a game against New South Wales. He followed this with 88 against South Australia.^[14] He was recalled to the Australian side for the fifth test, replacing Geoff Dymock.^[15] He performed poorly in two tests.

For Queensland, he took five wickets in a first class game five times, with one ten wicket call. He also took a five wicket haul in a one-day game.^[16] He is the only Queenslander to score a century and take ten wickets in a match.^[17] This feat was achieved against New South Wales in 1978–79,^[18] the season where Carlson hit his peak, scoring 545 runs and taking 31 wickets.^[19][20]

Carlson was not able to go on the 1979 World Cup.^[21]

After cricket, he was well placed to help struggling local farmers who were looking to sell their farms; he sold nine in nine months, moved back to Brisbane with his wife & four children and into the world of property & property development. For the past 15 years he has been on the board of the Queensland Cricketer's Club, a treasured outlet whose members used to be housed behind the bowler's arm at the old Gabba, yet are no less enthusiastic in their camaraderie from behind glass high above mid-wicket. At 47 he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.^[22][23]