Chris Downes remained the front-runner at the Australian Open but there was little sparkle to his game at the Moonah Links course today as eight players closed to within two shots of the leader.
The Queenslander carded a round of 71, which featured a double-bogey five at the short 11th, as he played the back nine in one-over-par 37.
His third sub-par round means Downes is now on eight-under for the tournament, but his hold on the lead is far from secure.
Stephen Leaney went round in a flawless round of 68, with four birdies and no dropped shots, to take sole possession of second place on seven-under, while seven players are tied on six-under. Steven Conran, Stuart Appleby, Matthew Millar, Peter Lonard, Craig Jones, American Ricky Barnes and Stephen Allan are the septet who will all fancy their chances of challenging for the title on Sunday.