Victoria have made the most of being sent in to bat by Queensland, advancing to 1-71 at lunch in the resumption of the Sheffield Shield.
Former Test opener Marcus Harris is unbeaten on 47 with rookie Ashley Chandrasinghe also at the crease on 17.
The Victorians were rarely troubled during Thursday's opening session at the MCG with Harris striking five boundaries and a six.
There was early joy for Queensland with Liam Guthrie forcing Travis Dean to top edge a pull shot straight to Xavier Bartlett at fine leg with the opener on six.
The wicket fell in Guthrie's first Shield over for Queensland since joining from home state Western Australia.
Victoria are being led by young allrounder Will Sutherland for the first time with regular captain Peter Handscomb in India with the Test squad.
Bowlers Scott Boland and Todd Murphy are also in the subcontinent on national duty.
With six of 10 rounds played, Queensland went into the match in second place behind runaway leaders Western Australia while Victoria sit in fourth but within touching distance of their opponents.
