Debutant left-arm quick Joel Paris spearheaded Western Australia's fight back on the opening day of the Sheffield Shield match at the WACA Ground to dismiss Victoria for 322.
Victoria appeared in control shortly after tea at 3-249 but lost 5-24 to leave the contest evenly poised.
Peter Handscomb top-scored with 98 while Marcus Stoinis (75) and captain Aaron Finch (68) made half-centuries.
Paris was the star with the ball for WA taking 4-68.
WA faced 10 overs prior to stumps and were 0-15 with Cameron Bancroft 11 not out and Will Bosisto unbeaten on four.
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The home side won the toss and elected to bowl with captain Michael Klinger's decision paying off when Victoria lost openers Rob Quiney (5) and Travis Dean (6).
However, the Bushrangers then took control over the next session and a half.
The first to get rolling was Stoinis in a 78-run stand with Handscomb.
Stoinis fell after lunch but Handscomb carried on alongside Finch.
That pair had a 135-run partnership going at near five runs an over, leaving the Bushrangers in control at tea at 3-239.
Finch was dismissed with a poor shot off David Moody, sparking the collapse.
Glenn Maxwell came and went without scoring and then just two runs short of his century, Handscomb fell.
He was bowled by Paris and shortly after when Dan Christian chopped Paris on for nine, Victoria were 7-274.
The tail wagged slightly with Chris Tremain scoring 29 and Clint McKay 22.
As well as Paris' four wickets on debut, David Moody responded to a tough first two sessions to claim 3-74 and veteran Michael Hogan took 2-46.
WA lost paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile before stumps due to a suspension for dissent during a Futures League match on Tuesday.
Victoria has started the game with Tremain but he will be replaced for the final two days by overlooked Test quick James Pattinson.
