The 30-year-old claimed 6-41 at the Gabba to help dismiss the Bulls for 238 in reply to the Redbacks' first innings of 5-359 declared.
At stumps South Australia were 8-131 - an overall lead of 252 - after the hosts came roaring back into the match with an inspired final session in the field.
South Australia's Nathan McAndrew wreaked havoc against Queensland, claiming 6-41.
Seventeen wickets fell on a day dominated by the bowlers.
With clear skies forecast for the final day, the match is set up for an outright result with both sides in it.
Queensland resumed day three on 1-82 but McAndrew made an early statement with the wicket of Bryce Street (47) from the third ball of the morning.
Wickets fell at regular intervals in the opening session and McAndrew had five of them by lunch, including the prize scalp of captain Usman Khawaja (three) to a seaming delivery the Test opener feathered behind.
Fellow paceman Harry Conway (2-53) found his groove at the other end and the Bulls slumped to 8-180 just before lunch.
Enforcing the follow-on appeared to be a likely option for the Redbacks at that point but Bulls wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (61) launched a rescue mission as he so often does. He found a willing ally in fast bowler Mark Steketee (37) in a 68-run ninth wicket stand.
Khawaja's aggressive captaincy reaped rewards as he went in search of second inning wickets. He had six slips at one point while Michael Neser was bowling to Nathan McSweeney to showcase his intent.
That aggressive approach paid dividends from the moment first-innings century maker Henry Hunt was bowled by Jack Wildermuth for a duck.
Legspinner Mitch Swepson (2-23) bowled with confidence and guile and cleaned up the Redbacks' other first-innings centurion McSweeney (13) with a rip snorter.
Fast bowler Gurinder Sandhu (3-17) made key late strikes. Exciting 21-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk (33) played one adventurous shot too many and then Sandhu produced a superb offcutter that allrounder Ben Manenti (0) shouldered arms to.
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