NSW will have to chase down a challenging victory target of 309 if they are to defeat Victoria at Junction Oval and keep their Sheffield Shield final hopes on track.
The visiting Blues have begun their innings in positive fashion reaching 0-64 at tea on day three, with Nick Larkin on 39 and Daniel Hughes on 25.
Victoria were bowled out midway thought the afternoon session for 280, with opener Travis Dean compiling a patient and potentially match-defining century.
In a low-scoring contest, Dean anchored the innings making 106 from 270 balls, before being the eighth wicket to fall.
Victoria resumed on 5-165 with nighwatchman Peter Siddle adding a handy 28.
Dan Christian contributed 22 with the allrounder coming into the match as a replacement for batsman Will Pucovski who was felled by a Sean Abbott bouncer on day two.
NSW paceman Trent Copeland collected 5-59, while Steve O'Keefe added 2-75 to his first innings 8-77 for a ten-wicket haul.
Australian Associated Press