With a home final for the Bushrangers now within reach, a rampant David Hussey and Aaron Finch have set about building what should be a match-winning lead in the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the MCG.
At tea on day two, the Bushrangers were in total control with two points in the bag at 2-263 with Hussey unbeaten on 108 and Finch 102 in reply to Tasmania's first-innings 222.
The centurions came together with the score at 2-51 just after midday following the loss of openers Nick Jewell for 28 and Michael Hill (19).
They middled the ball from the start and matched one another blow for blow throughout the second session in particular which produced 142 runs at a very steady pace.
It took Hussey just 55 deliveries to bring up his 50 and he registered his century with an outrageous square cut for six off Brendan Drew from 124 balls-faced.
Finch's 50 took just 89 balls to compile and his maiden Shield century from 151 deliveries was achieved in the second-last over before tea with a quick single off Dan Marsh.
Their unbeaten 212-run partnership is the Bushrangers' best for any wicket this season, surpassing a stand of 181 between Chris Rogers and Brad Hodge against South Australia in Adelaide.
It's the perfect warm-up for the competition final which now appears certain to be played in Melbourne next week given Queensland's troubles at the Gabba where they've been invited to follow on against Western Australia.
An outright win by the Bushrangers against Tassie would guarantee a final at the MCG regardless of the result in Brisbane.
Tassie took the field on Thursday morning without stand-in skipper Tim Paine who picked-up a side strain while batting on Wednesday.
Paine, who was handed the captaincy at short notice following George Bailey's call-up for ODI duty, hopes to be fit to bat in Tasmania's second innings.
Alex Doolan is Paine's fill-in behind the stumps and Xavier Doherty is deputising as captain.
Paine's 69 on Wednesday was the highlight of Tasmania's first-innings' 222.
In-form paceman Damien Wright was the best of the Victorian bowlers with 5-49 taking his tally of wickets to 30 at 14.67 from his past five Shield matches.
Early morning showers have passed and conditions in Melbourne are clear with a forecast top temperature of 22 degrees.
Tasmania first innings 222
Victoria first innings
Jewell c Marsh b Drew 28 (41)
Hill c Doolan by Drew 19 (64)
Finch not out 102 (157)
Hussey not out 108 (131)
Extras: 6 (3lb, 3nb)
Total: 263 (2 wickets, 65 overs)
1-48, 2-51
Bowling
Griffith 11 - 1 - 45 - 0 (1nb)
Macdonald 15 - 2 - 62 - 0 (2nb)
Drew 13 - 3 - 59 - 2
Doherty 13 - 4 - 34 - 0
Krejza 7 - 0 - 48- 0
Marsh 6 - 1 -12 - 0