Western Australia will need a heavy hitting last session to steal a win and make the Sheffield Shield final, the home side 5-102 chasing 273 against Queensland at the WACA.
Much will rest with veteran batsman Mike Hussey (20no) who is batting with Sam Whiteman (19no), the West Australians needing a run rate of around five an over from the minimum 37 overs remaining.
Queensland also require an outright win to make the final – a draw doing neither side any good in their quest to qualify for the decider.
The home side looked in all sorts of trouble at 5-71 but Hussey steadied the ship as he and Whiteman put on 37 runs before tea.
Queensland bowlers shared four wickets with Marcus Harris falling to a run out by Michael Neser.
Earlier the Bulls put themselves in with a chance of claiming the win when they moved from 6-179 and a lead of 116 runs at the start of the day to 9-336 before declaring heading into lunch.
Fast bowlers Michael Neser (77) and Ryan Harris (54 no) combined brilliantly for a quick-fire wicket 86-run partnership; ex-Australian bowler Harris remaining undefeated after clubbing six fours and two sixes in his electrifying knock.