Veteran paceman Michael Hogan ripped through Tasmania’s top and middle order to give Western Australia the upper hand in 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 before Tasmania limped to 6-196 at tea.
Hogan was the chief destroyer, removing danger men Cosgrove, George Bailey (9) and Ben Dunk (2) in quick succession.
The 32-year-old (4-41) also claimed the key wicket of former Test opener Ed Cowan for 16.
Luke Butterworth (33no) and Ben Hilfenhaus (5no) remain unbeaten.
Butterworth is lucky to be there after being dropped by Marcus North at gully and also surviving a strong appeal for caught behind.
Earlier, Cosgrove overcame two blows to the hand to blast a half-century off just 63 balls.
Cosgrove was on 16 when he was struck on the hand by paceman Hogan, and he was left wincing in pain again after receiving a similar blow from Mitch Marsh (1-40).
His innings, which featured 14 boundaries, was finally brought to an end when he edged Hogan through to Adam Voges at first slip.
Jon Wells (41 off 111 balls) put up stiff resistance before spinner Michael Beer sent him packing.
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