Tasmanian skipper George Bailey's failure at the crease has proven a crucial breakthrough for NSW who are on a Sheffield Shield high in Hobart.
At stumps on Sunday the Tigers were a paltry 5-107 in reply to the visitors' first-innings 5(dec)-495, which included an inspired unbeaten 179 from dumped Test wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.
Already missing experienced batsman Alex Doolan, who's suffering a broken jaw from last round, Tassie's top order quickly rolled on day two at Bellerive Oval.
Among the casualties was Australian one-day star Bailey, without scoring, caught behind from a Trent Copeland (4-29) delivery.
"George Bailey is a key," Copeland admitted after play of his prized scalp.
"We look at him in their batting line up, with the mountain of runs he's scored in his career, and we know that if we can knock him over it's a lot of pressure on the fellas around him, particularly without (Doolan) there."
Copeland bowled a spell of 16 overs after the changeover, which came just shy of the tea break.
It included the wickets of opener Ben Dunk (two) and Bailey who were both gone by the end of the fourth over.
The right-arm veteran subsequently eliminated Ben McDermott (25) and Tassie's hopes that ODI squad member James Faulkner (six) might have flown the flag for the middle order were quickly dashed.
Although Copeland admitted being "filthy" that his valuable spell came to an end, he wants more blood.
"We've got to keep our eye a little bit on the second innings and not pull up too sore tomorrow but when I've got four wickets on the board I really want the fifth one no matter when it is."
Nevill backed up his classy batting performance with three catches behind the stumps.
Just a fortnight after he failed to make runs on the Bellerive pitch as part of Australia's dismal Test loss to South Africa, Nevill put on a faultless show on the same deck.
His outing included partnerships of 221 with skipper Moises Henriques (115) and 129 with Ryan Gibson (65 not out).
Tigers coach Dan Marsh admitted it was a "tough day" for his side.
"Copeland bowled very well and challenged our defence," he said.
But Marsh downplayed the significance of losing Bailey.
"He'll be better in the second innings for us."
Tasmania resume on Monday 388 runs off the pace, with Beau Webster (30 not out) and Jake Doran unbeaten on 17.
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