Western Australia's bowlers provided the highlight on a disappointing day for the team as Queensland claimed first innings points on the opening day of their Bupa Sheffield Shield clash at the Gabba.

WA were bowled out for 111 by tea and Queensland were cruising at 0-83 in reply before five quick wickets late in the day offered the Warriors hope.

However, experienced Bulls duo James Hopes (25*) and Chris Hartley (23*) guided them past WA's first innings score and to 5-144 at stumps on day one, taking a 33-run lead.

Queensland captain Hopes had won the toss and sent WA in to bat, and that seemed a wise decision on a cloudy morning with the Bulls opening bowlers' swing causing the Warriors batsmen all sorts of problems.

Liam Davis, who edged two boundaries in the opening over, was first to depart for 10 to Matthew Gale, before the impressive Cameron Gannon got rid of Marcus Harris and Michael Hussey cheaply.

Saturday's Ryobi Cup heroes Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh were next at the crease and they took the team through to lunch at 3-54 but Gale got rid of the latter straight after the interval for 7.

When Gannon dismissed Voges for 38 at 5-69, with Hopes taking a fine catch at gully, WA were unable to offer much more resistance. Gannon finished with 4-49 as the Warriors were disappointingly all out for 111.

Queensland openers Greg Moller and Luke Pomersbach appeared in control after the tea break, showing the WA batsmen how to handle the movement as they compiled a good stand.

The pair took the score to 83, before Michael Hogan dismissed the former WA batsman, as his good friend Marsh took a sharp catch at first slip to have him out for 39.

Ashton Agar struck with the first ball of the next over, with Moller ballooning a cut to Davis at backward point to depart for 44. In Agar's next over he got rid of Joe Burns to make it 3-90.

Jason Behrendorff returned to the attack with immediate effect, bowling Nathan Reardon and when Nathan Coulter-Nile had Peter Forrest caught behind, suddenly the Bulls were 5-100, having lost 5-17.

However, Hopes and Hartley steadied late in the day to build a 33-run lead. WA's bowlers Agar (2-41), Coulter-Nile (1-32), Hogan (1-34) and Behrendorff (1-37) will be chasing early wickets on day two to ensure the deficit remains small.