Queensland are ruing an uncharacteristic dropped catch by wicketkeeper Chris Hartley as Western Australia's batsmen transformed their Sheffield Shield clash on Wednesday at the Gabba.

The Warriors are in a commanding position after going to lunch on day three at 6-363 - holding an overall lead of 306.

The Bulls took just one wicket in the morning session, nightwatchman Jason Behrendorff off the second ball of the day, as journeyman John Rogers (89 not out) and rookie gloveman Sam Whiteman (46 not out) combined in a crucial 123-run stand.

Canberra-raised former Tasmanian batsman Rogers claimed his maiden first-class half-century almost two years to the day after failing in his debut for the Tigers against Queensland.

But he had a rare miss by Hartley to thank after edging Bulls skipper James Hopes behind on 39 and watching the keeper get both gloves to the catch but put it down.

The score was 6-288 at the time - the first ball after drinks - and the second new-ball was only 19 overs old.

Rogers powered on after the miss and made the ragged defending champions pay leading into the lunch break.

Queensland had been in control of the match late on day one after dismissing the visitors for 111 and racing to 0-83 but the wheels have since fallen off.