Victorian paceman James Pattinson made his own claim for a Test cricket recall by blasting out Queensland pair Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja on Friday's third day of the Sheffield Shield match at the MCG.
But the weather could thwart the Bushrangers' impressive bid for an outright win on the last day.
A banner day had a miserable end on Friday for Burns and Khawaja - hours after their recalls to the Test squad were announced, Pattinson dismissed them cheaply in the second innings.
The Bulls were rolled for 103, leaving Victoria 229 to win.
The home side were none for 38 at stumps on day three, with first-innings hero Travis Dean on 23 and Rob Quiney 14 not out.
But the weather is likely to turn ugly later on Saturday, with showers and even a storm forecast.
Pattinson is trying to force his way back into the Test team after a dismal run with injuries.
After encouraging form in the domestic one-day competition, he only managed 1-73 in the first innings.
But the paceman reminded everyone of his abilities by firing out Burns, Khawaja and first-innings top-scorer Scott Henry cheaply.
Pattinson finished with 3-35 and Test squad member Peter Siddle took 3-21 to lead the demolition.
Burns only managed 25 and 6 in this match, while Khawaja made 21 and 11.
Earlier, Victoria declared behind in a bid to beat Saturday's forecast rain and gain the outright points as they start their Shield title defence.
Dean top-scored with an unbeaten 154.
He is the first Victorian since Wayne Phillips made 111 against the West Indies in 1988-89 to score a ton in his first-class debut.
Simon O'Donnell's 130 against SA in '83-84 is the most-recent Victorian Shield ton on debut.
Dean and Peter Handscomb combined for a third-wicket stand of 271 after coming together on day two with Victoria in trouble at 2-31.
Handscomb made 137 before he tried a pull shot off James Hopes and Reardon took the catch at square leg.
Ben Cutting was the best of the bowlers with 2-62.
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