Australia's big three may well about to be a fab four for the Ashes if Pattinson can stay in one piece in the coming months.

In conditions not dissimilar to what will greet Australia this winter, Pattinson gave another reminder as to why he was once bracketed with Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

There was a period in the second session when Blues duo Kurtis Patterson and Daniel Hughes gave their side reason to believe they could pull off an unlikely victory before Pattinson dashed those hopes.

Set 388, the Blues were rolled for 210 after a collapse of 8/48 in the afternoon sessions handed the Vics a 178-run win. Patterson top-scored with 76 but no other batsmen reached 50 against Victoria's powerful attack.

It is Victoria 32nd Shield title and fourth in five years, cementing the state as the domestic powerhouse of Australian cricket.

Pattinson collected four wickets in the second innings for match figures of 7/71 but was eclipsed for player of the match honours by incumbent Test opener Marcus Harris, whose 141 on day one set the game up for the home side.

Pattinson's speed, subtle seam movement and unerring accuracy - all ingredients required for success in England - proved too much for the Blues middle order.

That's not a criticism of Moises Henriques, Hughes and co as bowlers of Pattinson's quality are seldom seen in the Shield nowadays due to the busy international schedule.

The question with Pattinson has never been one of ability but durability. It's why former national coach and selector Darren Lehmann earlier this week labelled the Victorian a "certainty" to make the Ashes touring party if he stayed fit.

It's so far so good for Pattinson, who reaped 17 wickets at 11.41 with the Dukes ball since returning from a side strain. Equally as important, he has stayed sound after playing three games in as many weeks - the last two matches with his bowling restrictions lifted.

"They [selectors] said they never had an issue with the way I bowl, it's just staying on the park," Pattinson said. "I just need to get through a few more games. I've got the chance to play some county cricket now. Hopefully, I can now get some good loads, a couple of games of 35-40 overs to get through.

"Sheffield Shield is one thing, Test cricket is the pinnacle - there's not many Tests where you don't bowl 40 overs. That's the next challenge for me."

Pattinson will have a short let-up before kicking off his season in England with Nottinghamshire in a 50-over game on April 20. The Ashes start at Edgbaston on August 1.

Pattinson, who underwent spinal fusion surgery in November 2017 in a desperate bid to end his back woes, said he had learned from his previous setbacks when he would break down after pushing himself too hard.

"I know there's been talk of me getting to the six-month mark and things getting a bit pear-shaped with my back," Pattinson said. "I think I need to make sure I've got my two-, three-week breaks where I'm completely off bowling rather than soldering on through it.

"The breaks are a big part of cricket, especially for fast bowling to freshen up and go again. The big thing I can learn from the past is not to go too hard and wanting too much cricket."