Jake Doran scored a gritty 98 to prop up his side for the second time in three days as Tasmania posted a tricky total for Victoria to chase for victory in the Sheffield Shield clash at the MCG.

On a slow deck where wickets have fallen regularly and runs have come grudgingly, Doran was again the man for the occasion, finishing just short of a century in his side's 263 on day three.

It left Victoria chasing 253 runs to win the match on the final day.

Middle-order batsman Doran had anchored his side's first innings of 188 with 52 before being run out.

He left little to chance on Sunday, battening down the hatches during a 237-ball knock that featured just five boundaries.

In a well-balanced contest between bat and ball, the home side picked up three wickets in the day's opening session before the Tigers hunkered down after lunch.

It wasn't always pretty as the visitors struggled to score at even two runs an over but Doran's hand may well prove vital in the wash-up with a result looking likely.

Scott Boland (2-41) claimed the first two scalps, the right-arm quick having the obdurate Mac Wright (33) caught at first slip off a rising delivery before doing a similar job on Caleb Jewell (9), taken by second slip.

Miserly spinner Jon Holland (2-46, 33.3 overs) chipped in with the wicket of Alex Doolan (12) just before the first interval before James Pattinson (3-54) had allrounder Beau Webster caught and bowled for 22.

But from 6-160, the Tigers largely held sway, Doran's 51-run partnership with Jarrod Freeman (30) and 47 with Nathan Ellis (9), tipping the scales slightly towards Tasmania.

"It's disappointing for me but the team really needed someone to get some runs," Doran said of missing out on a century when he edged Matt Short to first slip.

"On a personal note I think I've got 97, 98 and 99 - so I've ticked all three there."

Victoria faced four overs before stumps and finished at 0-8 with Nic Maddinson (8) and Marcus Harris (0) the not out batsmen.

Holland said it was a tough but gettable target.

"The new ball is still pretty hard to face. It's going up and down - sideways as well," he said.

"You saw the way those blokes batted, especially Jake Doran, he batted really well, was very watchful and played late with soft hands.

"So we've got the blueprint."