Tasmania got a crucial Western Australia wicket on lunch of day three but need plenty more quickly to remain alive in the Sheffield Shield final at the WACA Ground.
The job remains ahead of the Tigers as the Shield final nears the halfway mark in Perth with WA 1-25 in their second inning with an overall lead of 186.
WA are chasing a third consecutive Shield title and remain right in the box seat by lunch on the third day having dismissed Tasmania in the morning session on Saturday for 186.
Tasmania captain Jordan Silk won the toss and sent WA in to bat and the home team took full advantage racking up 347 highlighted by a century from captain Sam Whiteman and rapid 90 from debutant Cooper Connolly.
The Tigers then never built momentum with the bat the rest of day two going into stumps 6-152 and going at just two runs an over.
Jarrod Freeman was then run out to open the third day without scoring meaning Tasmania had lost 5-21 but Iain Carlisle (16) did make some crucial runs to get them to 186.
Offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli was the pick of WA's bowlers with 4-48 in 28 overs while Cameron Gannon took 3-38 in 20.
A first innings deficit 161 was a steep hill to climb and still is, but at least for Tasmania they got a wicket on the stroke of lunch with Gabe Bell having first innings centurion Whiteman caught behind for eight.
D'Arcy Short is not out 13 with Jayden Goodwin to join him after the interval with WA leading by 186.