A Queensland batting collapse has given New South Wales the opportunity to claim a crucial win in Brisbane and kick-start their faltering Sheffield Shield campaign.
The Blues are 3-36 at lunch on day three, requiring a further 101 runs for victory.
Batting, however, has proved challenging in bowler-friendly conditions at the Gabba with eight wickets falling during the morning session, after 25 wickets were claimed on the opening two days.
Jason Sangha (11) and Jack Edwards (18 not out) set about holding the innings together after NSW slipped to 2-2.
Sangha, however, was dismissed off the bowling of Jack Wildermuth (1-7) just minutes before the break.
Key opener Daniel Hughes (1) was notably back in the pavilion early as Michael Neser (1-15) broke through for a prized scalp.
The home side desperately needed lower-order runs after opening day three at a shaky 5-105, just 112 runs clear of the Blues.
Only Neser (13) reached double figures as Queensland were bowled out for 129, losing their last seven wickets for 28.
There were contributions from all NSW's seam attack with Trent Copeland (3-28) leading the charge, while Harry Conway took 2-11 and Chris Tremain returned 2-31.
