NSW have struck with the ball but Queensland remain firmly in control of the Sheffield Shield final in Brisbane.
Test No.3 Marnus Labuschagne has a double-century in sight with the Bulls cruising to 6-370 at lunch on day three at Allan Border Field, for an overall lead of 227.
Labuschagne is 187 not out - with fellow Queenslander Jimmy Maher's Shield final record knock of 223 in 2006 within reach.
Resuming his innings on 160, Labuschagne was in no rush on Saturday and has stroked 21 fours in his 343-ball knock.
He has defied NSW's world class attack of Mitchell Starc (1-52), Josh Hazlewood (1-42) and spinner Nathan Lyon (2-106 off 37 overs) to put Queensland in the box seat to capture their ninth Shield title and their first since 2017-18.
Labuschagne's epic innings almost came to an end on 184 when he survived a close run-out call when called through by Jack Wildermuth for a quick single, Jason Sangha's throw just missing the stumps.
A frustrated Blues attack finally had some good fortune in the field, claiming three scalps in the morning session with Matt Renshaw (34), Jimmy Peirson (36) and Wildermuth (15).
Trent Copeland (1-73) dismissed Renshaw when the former Test opener played on, ending an 86-run fourth wicket stand.
Peirson thrashed eight fours to dominate a 52-run fifth-wicket partnership with Labuschagne before being caught behind off Lyon.
The Blues claimed 3-84 for the session after Queensland started the day 3-286.
However NSW - without Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, David Warner and Moises Henriques due to IPL duties - have much more work to do if they are to claim consecutive Shield titles for the first time since 1993-94 and a record-extending 48th crown.
