Queensland's Sarah Jane Smith heads a batch of locals eyeing the Australian Open crown, though Karrie Webb isn't among them.
Smith takes a one-shot lead into Saturday's third round at Royal Adelaide but Webb missed the cut.
Smith is nine-under, one shot ahead of a trio of overseas golfers.
Australians Katherine Kirk (seven-under), Hannah Green (six-under), Rebecca Artis (five-under), Minjee Lee (four-under), Su Oh (three-under) and Stephanie Na (two-under) are also well-positioned.
World No.1 Lydia Ko just scraped through to weekend play, her even-par total was just one shot inside the cut line.
Ko experienced a rollercoaster round on Friday, landing four birdies but also recording six bogeys.
Geelong-born Smith produced the lowest second round, a fine six-under 67, and has her sights set on a breakthrough national title.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about it," the 32-year-old said.
"Obviously it would be a dream come true and something that every young Australian thinks about at some point.
"So to even be a in this position right now is pretty exciting."
