Defending Sheffield Shield champions Victoria have not given up hope of earning a result against competition frontrunners Queensland, despite trailing by 299 runs at the midway point of the match.
Victoria ended day two at the MCG on 3-153 in response to Queensland's hefty 5-452 (dec).
The home side were 3-53 early but gathered some momentum for the first time in the match as youngster Will Pucovski (64 not out) and veteran Cameron White (36 not out) ground their way through the final session without losing a wicket.
"The wicket is pretty low and slow so it is pretty hard to score," Pucovski said.
"It's going to be tough but you never know and funnier things have happened in cricket. Tomorrow will be the key.
"The wicket is pretty good and has been for both teams. They have set straight fields and made it pretty hard to score so it could be a bit of a war of attrition.
"It's good to be back in with a fighting chance after it looked a bit dodgy early.
It was the 20-year-old's maiden half century for Victoria in his fourth first-class outing and first for the Bushrangers since suffering concussion while fielding last February.
Queensland batted confidently against Victoria's strong bowling attack early on day two, adding 119 runs to their overnight 4-333 in little over a session.
Sam Heazlett and Jack Wildermuth led the way adding 155 for the fifth wicket.
Heazlett nabbed his second Shield century with an unbeaten 124, although Wildermuth was denied a ton when dismissed for 94.
"They were swinging it early, perhaps more so than our bowlers did but our bowlers have their strengths whereas swing is probably more of a Queensland strength," Pucovski said.
"They had their tails up early on after getting early wickets and setting us a formidable total, so it was about battling through that first bit and knowing that the runs would come."
While the fifth-placed Victoria can ill-afford a defeat, a draw would keep them in touch with Queensland going into the final three rounds.
