Victorian captain Cameron White has enforced the follow-on after the Bushrangers dismissed Queensland for 195 - 183 runs in arrears of the Vics' first innings - at tea on the second day of the Sheffield Shield match at the MCG.
The hosts have been in control throughout the day thanks primarily to the menace of paceman Clint McKay combined with brilliant work in the field.
McKay landed nasty blows on several Bulls including top-scorer Nathan Reardon and skipper Chris Simpson, and claimed the wickets of Lee Carseldine and Ben Cutting with rearing deliveries that both batsmen tried hard but failed to avoid.
The Queensland innings closed at nine down with opener Ryan Broad unable to bat because of a fractured thumb sustained while fielding on Friday.
The 27-year-old, who has a handy record against the Bushrangers having amassed 770 runs at 77 against them over the past three seasons including four centuries, will only bat in the second innings if absolutely necessary.
While McKay claimed the bowling honours for the Vics with 3-60, he was well supported by Bryce McGain (2-21) and John Hastings (2-35).
Just as impressive was the Bushrangers' work in the field, sparked by a brilliant cameo from club cricketer Michael Beer substituting for his St Kilda team-mate and Victorian 12th man Rob Quiney who was released to play Premier Cricket.
With just one stump to aim for, Beer scored a direct hit from 40 metres to run out in-form Bulls opener Nick Kruger for 30.
Coming off his commanding 172 for Queensland against the West Indies at Allan Border Field last weekend, Kruger had looked set for another big score against the Vics.
The powerful left-hander nudged John Hastings to square leg and, chasing a second run, took on Beer's arm and lost.
The second critical run out for the innings was the result of great teamwork after Reardon (58) pushed a delivery from Andrew McDonald straight back up the pitch and called Simpson for the single.
McGain gathered and relayed to McDonald who threw down the stumps at the batsman's end with a scrambling Simpson a metre short.
Sunny and mild conditions have become overcast with the forecast of a shower or two later in the day.
Victorian 1st innings 378
Queensland 1st innings
Kruger run out 30
Townsend c Hussey b McKay 2
Carseldine c Hussey b McKay 15
Reardon c Wade b Hastings 58
Hartley lbw McGain 15
Simpson run out 8
Cutting c Wade b McKay 6
Doran c Wade b Hastings 23
Walter lbw McGain 14
Feldman not out 6
Broad absent injured
Extras: 18 (3b, 7lb, 8nb)
Total: 195 (9 wickets, 58.4 overs)
FOW: 1-5, 2-43, 3-66, 4-96, 5-114, 6-125, 7-169, 8-183, 9-195
Bowling
McKay 15 - 2 - 60 - 3 (3nb)
Pattinson 13 - 2 - 41 - 0 (2nb)
McDonald 14 - 5 - 28 - 0
Hastings 9 - 3 - 35 - 2 (3nb)
McGain 7.4 - 1 - 21 - 2