Victoria have survived an early scare to push on to a comfortable position at 2-58, needing a further 110 runs to beat Western Australia on day three of their Sheffield Shield clash at the MCG.
David Hussey played some aggressive shots on Saturday to reach 21 not out from 35 deliveries while opener Chris Rogers was also on 21 with five sessions remaining in the match.
Mitchell Johnson bowled young opener Peter Handscomb for eight and Johnson’s fellow left-arm quick Jason Behrendorff removed Cameron White caught at mid-on for four at 2-21.
But Hussey and Rogers added 37 to steady Victoria’s innings.
Western Australia had resumed on 5-76 and were bowled out for 138 in their second innings in 49.4 overs, adding 5-62 on Saturday.
Victoria’s Test quick James Pattinson took two of the five Warriors’ wickets to fall in the morning session and claimed 4-42 while Clint McKay (3-52) and Jayde Herrick (3-23) finished with three wickets each.
Tailender Johnson was unbeaten on 40 from 32 deliveries, hitting five fours in an audacious knock on a pitch still offering assistance to the seam bowlers.