Young paceman Simon Mackin has helped steer Western Australia into a strong first innings position against Tasmania at Bellerive Oval, where the hosts are 7-170 at stumps.

The tall right-arm speedster, 22, boasted 3-34 from 14 overs including five maidens on Monday’s second day of Sheffield Shield play.

With the visitors all out for 301 just after lunch, Tasmania’s openers didn’t last 14 overs with Jordan Silk (4) dismissed lbw and Ed Cowan (25) caught behind, both off Mackin deliveries.

It could have been 3-3 for the towering Warrior but for `keeper Sam Whiteman’s misjudged catch that would have sent Tigers skipper Alex Doolan (18) back to the sheds.

Mackin struck again a short time later when a Jonathan Wells (6) pull shot was caught at mid on.

The bad news kept coming for Tasmania.

In an effort to dig in at 3-60, the Tigers faced 43 balls after tea without score.

A defensive Doolan was caught at cover during that time off the bowling of Michael Hogan (1-45).

Ben Dunk’s contribution of 24, including five boundaries, was cut short with a skied shot off an Ashton Agar (1-28) delivery caught at mid on.

James Faulkner (27) then started to knuckle down with Tim Paine (21) for a partnership of 46.

However Paine was caught behind and Faulkner succumbed to a Andrew Tye (1-17) middle-stump yorker the next ball.

Ben Hilfenhaus (32 not out) posted Tasmania’s top score for the day and he will be joined by Clive Rose (8no) in the middle for the resumption of play on Tuesday.

WA added 70 runs to their first day, bowled out shortly after lunch.

Andrew Fekete was the pick of the Tasmanian bowlers with 3-67.