Queensland fast bowler Steve Magoffin has ripped through NSW’s middle order on day three of their Sheffield Shield clash at the SCG, taking five wickets as the Blues crumbled to be all out for 269.

Queensland will need 270 to secure the valuable first innings points, keeping them firmly in the frame for a spot in the Shield final with one more match to play.

It may yet be a competitive total, with the green wicket and overcast conditions conspiring to make life difficult for batsmen.

But the Blues will rue a missed opportunity to build a bigger total before Magoffin (6-44) went on a rampage in the first session on Saturday.

The lanky right-arm paceman was the catalyst as the Blues lost five wickets for just 20 runs at one stage after starting the day at 4-207.

Only a spirited 31-run partnership for the final wicket between captain Stephen O’Keefe (15 not out) and tailender Trent Copeland (13) spared the Blues further blushes.

Magoffin narrowly missed out on a hat-trick when Test paceman Mitchell Starc survived a probing ball outside off stump.

But the 32-year-old was far too good for the rest of NSW’s batsmen, removing Peter Nevill (8) and Scott Coyte (0) with consecutive deliveries after earlier knocking over Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (15) and allrounder Steve Smith (53).

Starc (0) became his sixth victim of the innings when he slashed a wide ball to Jason Floros at third slip.

Magoffin trapped dumped Test opener Phil Hughes on day one of the match for 73.

Day two was washed out without a ball being bowled.