West Indies spearhead fast bowler Jerome Taylor had a bad day and bolter Shannon Gabriel broke down injured.
Add a record triple-century partnership by Australia and it was a tough day at the office for the tourists on day one of their Test opener in Hobart.
The home side were 3-438 at stumps on Thursday after Adam Voges (174no) and Shaun Marsh (139no) ran away with an effort that flattened the West Indies' underdogs.
It is the most runs conceded by a West Indies Test side in a day.
"It is difficult when they have a good partnership to keep your head up," spinner Jomel Warrican told reporters after play.
Australia made a blazing start and were 0-70 after 10 overs in a bruising affront for the West Indies.
But Warrican (2-111) came into the attack to claim the vital first-session scalps of opener David Warner (64) and skipper Steve Smith (10).
Much anticipation surrounded the return to the West Indies XI of Jerome Taylor (0-76) who missed the side's warm-up game in Brisbane.
But Taylor was far from the form that returned 6-47 against Australia in June in Jamaica.
"We each have bad days so we can't be too hard on him," Warrican said of his teammate.
"I guess he wasn't on target today but I'm sure he will come back."
The quickest of the West Indies' bowling group, Gabriel (1-59), reached speeds of more than 157km/h and took the wicket of opener Joe Burns (33).
But the right-armer bowled his last over before the tea break and left the ground during the final session complaining of pain in his left ankle.
Overnight scans would try to uncover the extent of the problem but Warrican said Gabriel's loss would be great.
"It's a major blow because it's a bowler short and any bowler right now would be key to help us to get Australia out," Warrican said.
"And he's also the fastest bowler as well so he's a very important part of our team."
Warrican said there was a lack a discipline among the West Indies' bowling group, which delivered inconsistent length and recorded 11 no-balls on day one.
There seemed to be a lack of communication among fielders and an overall languid approach.
A diplomatic Voges didn't criticise the West Indies when asked if their attitude was up to Test standard.
"They toiled as hard as they could, they lost a bowler in Gabriel ... so they're a bowler down (and) there wasn't a lot of assistance in the wicket for them," he said.
Warrican said it would be a hungrier and fresher West Indies who returned on Friday.
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