Victoria has claimed a precious 48-run lead on the first innings of the Sheffield Shield final against Queensland at the MCG.
But the Bushrangers' prospects of retaining the Shield have been dealt a serious blow with confirmation that leading paceman Damien Wright has suffered a hamstring strain.
Wright pulled up short when bowling to Bulls tailender Chris Swan in the first hour of play on day three.
The 34-year-old, who has claimed 35 wickets for the Bushrangers in six matches since Christmas, was unable to complete the over, his 22nd for the innings, and left the field clutching the back of his right leg.
Wright was unable to play any further part in the Bulls' innings and a Bushrangers spokesman said scans would determine his availability for later in the match.
Wright's loss places significant strain on the Vics' attack considering that fellow quick Darren Pattinson came into this match with a suspect calf.
Earlier on Friday, Queensland was bowled out for 257 in reply to Victoria's first innings of 305.
Resuming at 6-199, Ben Cutting opened his shoulders and quickly advanced the score almost single-handedly to 220 when he lost partner Chris Simpson padding up to Wright.
The Bulls skipper had failed to add to his overnight score of 16.
John Hastings chimed in with the wickets of Chris Swan (11) and Luke Feldman (four), leaving Andrew McDonald to wrap up the innings when he bowled Cameron Boyce for four.
Cutting was unbeaten on 35.
McDonald returned the best figures for the Vics of 3-64.
Victorian openers Nick Jewell (five not out) and Rob Quiney, who's yet to score, managed to survive a testing 10 minutes at the crease before lunch.
Victoria first innings 305
Queensland first innings
Broad b McGain 80 (206)
Townsend b Pattinson 1 (12)
Carseldine c McDonald b Wright 7 (7)
Lynn lbw McDonald 40 (63)
Hopes c Hussey b McDonald 17 (18)
Hartley lbw McGain 24 (95)
Simpson lbw Wright 16 (70)
Cutting not out 35 (74)
Swan b Hastings 11 (28)
Feldman c Quiney b Hastings 4 (6)
Boyce b McDonald 4 (12)
Extras: 17 (4b, 8lb, 5nb)
Total: 257 (10 wickets, 98 overs)
FOW: 1-3, 2-14, 3-73, 4-93, 5-158, 6-195, 7-220, 8-243, 9-249, 10-257
Bowling
Wright 21.4 - 10 - 48 - 2 (1nb)
Pattinson 17 - 3 - 53 - 1 (3nb)
McDonald 26.4 - 9 - 64 - 3
Hastings 1.2 - 2 - 51 - 2 (1nb)
McGain 14 - 5 - 29 - 2
Victoria second innings
Jewell not out 5 (7)
Quiney not out 0 (11)
Extras: 0
Total: 5 (no wickets, 3 overs)
Bowling
Swan 2 - 1 - 1 - 0
Cutting 1 - 0 - 4 - 0