Queensland's Sheffield Shield final hopes have all but been extinguished in their final-round match against Tasmania.

The Bulls ended the third day trailing by a near-insurmountable 431 runs as Tasmania eased their way to 5-252 against an injury-hit bowling attack at Hobart's Bellerive Oval.

Queensland earlier surrendered a 179-run deficit on the first innings despite some impressive scoring from their tail-enders and some heroics from injured fast bowler Mark Steketee.

The lower-order run-scoring became a game within a game with Queensland needing to reach 303 to earn more bonus points than fellow second-placed side Victoria.

Bonus points would come into play should Queensland and Victoria secure the same result in their respective matches.

Despite resuming at a shaky 6-180, Queensland ultimately fell agonisingly short with No.11 Liam Guthrie (16) adjudged lbw to end the innings on 300.

The final three wickets added 109 with Steketee, who has been ruled out of bowling since day one with a hip injury, scoring 43 not out and Jack Sinfield 29.

Tasmania stumbled out of the blocks in their second innings, slipping to 2-29 with the fall of Tim Ward (10) and Jake Doran (5).

But Tasmania captain Jordan Silk led the way with an unbeaten 101, sharing in a 111-run stand for the fifth wicket with first innings centurion Beau Webster (40).

There were also contributions from Caleb Jewell (38) and Mac Wright (41) against the weary Bulls attack.