Tigers on top after triple treat

The calendar had changed twice without a first-class century for Alex Doolan, but the former Test batsman has broken the spell and hopes it's a sign of his form to follow.

At Bellerive Oval on Friday, Doolan (119) was one of three Tasmanians to notch up tons as the Tigers took a massive 341-run first-innings lead over Victoria into day three of their Sheffield Shield clash.

Opener Ben Dunk (190) fell 10 runs short of a double-century and skipper George Bailey remained unbeaten on 103 as the hosts reached 5-506 in reply to the Bushrangers' 165.

Dunk will rue falling so close to a maiden double-ton as he would have been the first player to score 200 or more in both the 50-over and four-day competitions in Australia. 

Last-placed Tasmania have only one win for the season and Doolan admits it's a good feeling to be in such a strong position, and he's pleased to have found some runs after a lull in form.

"I guess I was due - it's been a little while since my last 100," said the right-hander who has been brought back into the Tigers' XI after scoring well in Premier Cricket.

"I felt good and I had a little bit of luck."

That "luck" came in the form of a lifeline when Doolan was dropped on 34 during Friday's first session.

He didn't miss the chance to go on and post his highest total since November 2013.

Two overs before tea, his luck ran out when he was caught at third slip off the bowling of Scott Boland (2-71).

The paceman struck again with the second ball after the break to take Dunk's scalp.

After a hiccup, which included the cheap dismissal of Ben McDermott (1), Tasmania again consolidated.

Bailey and Tom Triffitt (65no) quickly settled, each notching a half-century off 66 and 60 balls respectively.

The skipper went on to score a ton from 124 balls in a solid knock which included nine boundaries and three sixes.

Bailey and Triffitt finished the day with an unbeaten partnership of 172 runs.

Boland was the pick of the Bushrangers' bowlers, while spinner Fawad Ahmed (0-130) and Marcus Stoinis (0-63) were expensive.

Victorian captain Matthew Wade said his top-of-the-ladder side had so far been outplayed.

"We're doing what we can do, we just haven't been given the opportunities and haven't taken our chances when they come," he said.