Victory hopes fade

Victoria's hopes of a flying start to its Futures League campaign have stalled against Tasmania on the Sunshine Coast with the Tigers holding the upper hand at stumps on day three.

Resuming at 5-126 in reply to Tasmania's mammoth first innings total of 557, Victoria was scuttled for just 242, a massive 315 runs adrift, and not surprisingly, Steven Cazzulino had no hesitation in enforcing the follow on.

All was not lost for the Victorians, however, as Ryan Carters (83) and Peter Handscomb (53) navigated 47 probing overs in the second dig to register an unbeaten 140-run opening stand to salvage hopes of a first round draw.

"We're still 150 or so behind," Victorian Futures League coach Shawn Flegler said.

"It would have been good to be chasing a total but you can't blame them for making us follow on.

"I can't see us winning from here...(but) not losing too many wickets in the first session is the key."

With Carters and Handscomb, who also posted an impressive 56 in the first innings, firmly in the frame for the Bushrangers' opening Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland at the Gabba on October 11, the pair will be intent on pressing their claims over the final day.

"Handscomb has been impressive," Flegler said.

"Hopefully he can turn this into a big hundred, we talk about that all the time, but you want to be the next guy in line and that's the same with Carts."

Resuming on 39 overnight, Andrew Delmont top-scored for the Victorians in the first innings before falling for 62, while Clive Rose (30) and Steve Gilmour (43) provided handy lower order contributions.

Jackson Bird finished with 4-41 for the Tigers, while Sam Rainbird finished with 3-51.

Play will continue at the John Blanck Oval in Maroochydore from 9.30am.

Click here for ball-by-ball coverage of the Victorian and Tasmanian Futures League fixture at Maroochydore.