Tasmania 133 & 233 (Chaudhary 63, Straker 4-33) lead Queensland 348 (Weibgen 89, Burdon 70, Clayton 52, Meredith 4-77, Kuhnemann 4-81) by 18 runs
Queensland's bowling depth has again come to the fore as they closed in on a big Sheffield Shield win over Tasmania before bad light prevented their quest for just 19 runs.
The Bulls dismissed the Tigers at the Gabba for 233 in their second innings, a lead of just 18, but with three overs available to bat Tasmania would have bowled pace. The umpires, who had required Queensland to bowl spin in the latter stages, were forced to call off play.
Rain is forecast for Saturday until mid-afternoon and Tasmania will be hoping it continues to keep their faint hopes of securing a draw alive.
Former Australia Under-19 pacer Tom Straker (4-33) was the star for the Bulls on the third day.
He was confident Queensland would get the chance to wrap up victory on the final day.
"It would have been good if we got the [last] wicket an hour earlier, but we will come back tomorrow," Straker said.
"Apparently the forecast isn't terrible, so hopefully we get on for five overs and get the job done."
The Tigers had been asked to follow-on late on Thursday after they were bowled out for 133 in reply the Bulls' first-innings tally of 348.
Bad light prevented their innings from starting, but on Friday morning Straker made key inroads with the wickets of top-six batters Teague Wyllie, Caleb Jewell, Beau Webster and Jake Doran to have the visitors 111 for 6.
The match appeared set for a quick finish, but Nikhil Chaudhary (63) and Matt Kuhnemann (32) dug in to add 91 for the seventh wicket.
The new ball did them both in, with veteran quick Cameron Gannon (2-38) and Test pacer Michael Neser striking in quick succession, before spin was introduced due to bad light.
Queensland captain Marnus Labuschagne picked up his 100th first-class wicket with a skidding legspinner to dismiss No.11 Jackson Bird.
Labuschagne and Kuhnemann clashed on the field in a spicy interchange. Labuschagne, who was bowling medium pace at the time, let fly with a barrage of bouncers after Kuhnemann got under his skin.
"I don't know what was said. I was staying out of it, but it provided some entertainment for everyone," Straker said.
The 21-year-old Straker has thrived under the mentorship of Bulls bowling coach Hamish Bennett after moving from NSW to be tutored by him.
"I've had him since Aussie 19s and I originally saw him because me and one of coaches back in NSW were trying to find someone with a similar action to me," Straker said.
"Mine is a bit different and we came across his and we got in contact with him."
