Another superb bowling performance by Damien Wright has given the Bushrangers the upper hand on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania at the MCG.
But the Vics were nevertheless made to work hard to dismiss Tasmania for 222.
At stumps, Victoria was 0-4 from three overs.
While the veteran Wright returned the best figures for the Vics of 5-49, John Hastings (2-63), Bryce McGain (2-50), and Andrew McDonald (0-29 from 18 overs) all played their role, while Matthew Wade claimed four catches behind the stumps.
Wright, who is rising 35, is enjoying a bounteous late summer for the Bushrangers with 30 wickets at 14.67 from his past five Shield matches.
Paceman Darren Pattinson (1-29) was unable to bowl in the final session because of an ankle strain, but he expects to be available for the second innings.
Stand-in skipper Tim Paine, who came to the crease with his side in serious strife at 4-48, top-scored for the Tigers with a fighting 69.
Openers Jonathan Wells and Ed Cowan started safely enough for Tasmania before Cowan, on 10, had a sudden rush of blood.
The 27-year-old swished at a Pattinson delivery that was too short and wide to pull and succeeded only in getting a bottom edge which carried safely to 'keeper Wade.
From 1-12, the visitors slipped to 2-15 when Wade combined with Wright to remove Alex Doolan for a duck.
Rhett Lockyear became Wright's second victim for the session when he thick-edged low to David Hussey at second slip.
Dan Marsh, who announced earlier in the day that this match - the 137th of his Shield career - would be his last, was out immediately after lunch when caught by Pattinson at deep fine leg off the hard-working Hastings.
Jonathan Wells dug in for a further 70 minutes before his stubborn innings of 38 - which included 117 dot balls - was truncated with the faintest of nicks off Wright while trying to withdraw his bat, leaving Tassie at 5-92.
Dropped on nought by Aaron Finch at slip off McGain, Jason Krejza (16) provided Hastings with his 30th Shield wicket for the season before McGain chimed in with the scalps of Xavier Doherty (19) and Paine mid-way through the final session.
That was the cue for some lusty late hitting from Brendan Drew (17) and Adam Griffith (22) which lifted Tassie beyond 200.
Deputising for George Bailey, who was called up on Tuesday for international ODI duty, Paine won the toss and elected to bat in overcast, bowler-friendly conditions.
His hand was forced to an extent by the selection of two spinners, Krejza and Doherty, in the Tassie line-up.
Bowling first would certainly have suited the Vics who are chasing an outright win to be guaranteed of hosting next week's Sheffield Shield final against Queensland.
The start of play was delayed by 15 minutes because of early drizzle and a passing shower caused a 20-minute holdup in the middle of the morning session.
Tasmania innings
Wells c Wade b Wright 38 (135)
Cowan c Wade b Pattinson 10 (15)
Doolan c Wade by Wright 0 (12)
Lockyear c Hussey b Wright 10 (12)
Marsh c Pattinson b Hastings 7 (34)
Paine lbw McGain 69 (156)
Krejza b Hastings 16 (37)
Doherty c Jewell b McGain 19 (59)
Drew c Wade b Wright 17 (29)
Griffith c Finch b Wright 22 (34)
Macdonald not out 6 (24)
Extras: 8 (1b, 1lb, 5nb, 1wd)
Total: 222 (10 wickets, 90.2 overs)
FOW: 1-12, 2-15, 3-32, 4-48, 5-92, 6-136, 7-169, 8-178, 9-204, 10-222
Bowling
Wright 22.2 - 7 - 49 - 5
Pattinson11 - 1 - 29 - 1 (3nb, 1w)
McDonald 18 - 9- 29 - 0 (1nb)
Hastings 20 - 4- 62 -2 (1nb)
McGain 19 - 2 - 50 - 2
Victoria innings
Jewell not out 0 (7)
Hill not out 4 (11)
Extras: 0
Total: 4 (0 wickets, 3 overs)
Bowling
Griffith 2 - 1 - 3 - 0
Macdonald 1 - 0 - 1 - 0