Resuming on one not out after a rain-interrupted first day, Stepien held the Victoria innings together and looked set to reach three figures until he edged a ball down leg-side and was caught behind for 90.

The left-hander from White Hills faced 156 balls and hit 11 fours and two sixes.

After coming to the crease at 2-44, Stepien was the ninth batsman dismissed with the score on 193.

His Carlton team-mate Xavier Crone was at the crease with Stepien when he was dimissed.

Crone (10) and another first-gamer - Sandhurst premiership player - Todd Murphy (nine not out) then added 15 for the final wicket as Victoria finished all out for 208.

By stumps on day two of the four-day game, South Australia had advanced to 2-117 off 58 overs.

Off-spinner Murphy didn't look out of place as he bowled 13 tidy overs for 28 runs. Crone had figures of 0-19 off nine overs.

Stepien rounded off a good day by taking one catch.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.