Queensland hold an imposing 201-run first innings lead over champions Tasmania following another productive day for the home side in the Pura Cup season-opener at the Gabba.

The Bulls were 6-359 at stumps on day two, with Chris Simpson unbeaten on 18 and Ashley Noffke, who bagged five wickets to rout Tasmania's top order, not out 11.

Paceman Brett Geeves was outstanding for the Tigers in the absence of spearhead Ben Hilfenhaus (representative duty), snaring 4-87 off 35 overs and taking a superb outfield catch to dismiss all-rounder Aaron Nye (46).

Tasmania lost just twice in 11 appearances in 2006/07 but they are staring down the barrel of defeat in their season-opener against a Queensland side missing 11 players through injury or representative commitments.

The cautious Bulls were sluggish in the morning session, adding just 53 runs from nearly 30 overs after resuming at 0-136.

Tasmania's bowlers were diabolical late Friday but they placed the ball in the right corridor on Saturday and made the Bulls work hard for their runs as the pitch flattened out.

Asked about the sudden form reversal, Geeves replied: "We needed to lift. We were really disappointed in the way we went about it (Friday) night.

"Everyone sat in the rooms and had a really good think about it. We came out today and I thought we were really good.

"We're not out of it. If we can come out (Sunday) and take four quick wickets ... on day four here it'll still swing and if we can get 150 in front then it's anyone's game."

Geeves' aggressive opening spell led to the downfall of Greg Moller (78) as the 24-year-old blew an excellent opportunity to score his maiden first class century by mistiming a pull and lobbing a catch to debutant Chris Duval at mid-on.

Just six runs shy of his century, fellow opener Ryan Broad also fell to Geeves on the stroke of lunch when Tim Paine took a reflex one-handed catch at short leg.

"Obviously it's a long way between 94 and 100," said Broad, who has scored 408 runs in his past four matches, including a maiden first class century against NSW at the SCG in March.

"It was disappointing not to get there but I'm happy with the way I'm batting at the moment."

Geeves later claimed the prize scalp of skipper Jimmy Maher (26), who is batting at number four this season to allow injured Test star Shane Watson to open.

Maher pulled a ball directly to Brendan Drew at square leg to leave the Bulls at 3-242, a lead of 84 runs.

No.3 batsman Clinton Perren scored a handy 63 before he was caught behind off Drew's bowling.

Geeves took a wonderful catch in the deep to dismiss Nye and Murray Bragg, filling in for injured wicket-keeper Chris Hartley (wrist), was caught behind for eight.

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