Mark Cosgrove picked up his third consecutive duck as South Australia struggled to stumps at 4-168 in reply to NSW's 550 on day two of the Sheffield Shield encounter at the SCG.
The Redbacks went to the close of play 382 runs in arrears on the first innings with Cameron Borgas (30) and Aaron O'Brien (36) the not out batsmen.
The pair has put on 64 for the fifth wicket to – at least temporarily - stop the rot.
Cosgrove lasted just two balls before turning left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe (2-42) to Steve Smith at short leg, the Australian Test squad member juggling the sharp chance before clutching it to his body.
Cosgrove's dismissal left the Redbacks a precarious 3-84.
James Smith was the first batsman to go with the score on 22.
The opener fell victim to a lovely piece of bowling from Stuart Clark (1-24), edging an off-cutter to namesake Steve Smith diving forward at second slip.
Daniel Harris (54) and Michael Klinger (29) partially repaired the damage with a 58–run stand for the second wicket before the latter was trapped lbw by O'Keefe.
The South Australians slumped further into the mire after losing Cosgrove and Harris in quick succession.
Borgas and O'Brien have given hope that the Redbacks may yet make a fight of the game, which has been all the Blues' way so far.
Earlier, NSW declared at 9-550 after falling just short of equalling an 82-year-old record for most centuries in an innings.
Steve Smith (100), Usman Khawaja (102) and Peter Nevill (105) all scored tons, but all-rounder O'Keefe (91) was out just as he appeared headed for his maiden first class hundred.
If O'Keefe had reached three figures, it would have been the first time since 1927/28 that four NSW batsmen have scored centuries in the one innings.
But when he was out caught and bowled to Mark Cleary (4-82) after lunch on the second day, the Blues closed their innings in an extremely strong position.
Smith increased his chances of playing for Australia in the upcoming Test series in New Zealand after hammering an even ton.
He started the day on 77 and wasted no time racing to triple figures inside the first half hour of play.
He was out two balls after reaching his hundred, top edging to keeper Tim Ludeman after going down on one knee and attempting to slog Peter George (3-132) over mid-wicket.
His entertaining knock lasted just 126 balls and contained 17 fours and a six.
Nevill's innings was also a gem, the keeper-batsman cracking 15 boundaries and a six in his 225-minute stay.
He was caught behind by Tim Ludeman off Gary Putland (1-121) shortly before lunch after recording his first Shield ton.
Nevill and Smith put on 134 for the sixth wicket as the Blues posted 190 runs in an extended first session.
The lion-hearted George finished with three wickets while Cleary was the pick of the bowlers.
Ludeman claimed six consecutive catches behind the stumps.
NSW v SA day-two card
New South Wales 1st innings
Jaques c O'Brien b Cleary 26
Hughes c Ludeman b George 17
Katich c Ludeman b George 0
Khawaja c Ludeman b Christian 102
Forrest c Ludeman b Cleary 78
Smith c Ludeman b George 100
Nevill c Ludeman b Putland 105
O'keefe c & b Cleary 91
Clark c Christian b Cleary 11
Starc not out 11
Extras: 9 (6lb, 3w)
Total: 550