Veteran Warriors paceman Michael Hogan claimed 4-55 to help dismiss Tasmania for 248 on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA Ground.

The Tigers were cruising at 1-104 after winning the toss and electing to bat, but Mark Cosgrove’s dismissal for 71 sparked a collapse of 4-41 as Hogan weaved his magic.

Jon Wells (41) and Luke Butterworth (56) put up some stiff resistance thereafter, but the day belonged to Hogan.

The 32-year-old veteran claimed former Test opener Ed Cowan for 16 early in the day.

But it was his ability to remove danger men Cosgrove, George Bailey (9) and Ben Dunk (2) in quick succession that proved crucial.

Cosgrove overcame two blows to the hand to blast a half-century off just 63 balls.

But Hogan’s perseverance eventually paid dividends, with Cosgrove feathering a nick to first slip.

At 6-178, Tasmania were struggling.

But Butterworth, who was dropped on 20 by Marcus North at gully, made the Warriors pay for the missed chance by combining with Ben Hilfenhaus for a 61-run stand that lifted Tasmania to a defendable total.

Nathan Coulter-Nile picked up three late wickets, while spinner Michael Beer finished with 2-27 in his first Shield outing in 15 months.

The match shapes as a key contest in the race for a top-two berth.

WA sits third on the table, but are just four points adrift of second-placed NSW.

The fifth-placed Tigers (10 points) are eight points behind NSW, but an outright win would put them right back into the thick of the finals race. AAP jsc/wf