Australia took two early wickets to gain the upper hand in the second Test against New Zealand.
The hosts posted an imposing 467 on the second day of the Melbourne Test, thanks mainly to a gritty 114 from Travis Head.
At stumps, the Black Caps were 44-2 with Tom Latham not out nine and Ross Taylor on two as the visitors faced the distinct possibility of a series defeat.
Captain Kane Williamson lasted just 14 balls as he top-edged James Pattinson to wicketkeeper Tim Paine while Tom Blundell was out to Pat Cummins for 15.
The Kiwis need to win to level the three-match series after losing the Perth Test by 296 runs.
Australia were in full control by tea on 431-5 before getting bowled out for 467 within nine overs of the restart.
Captain Paine departed for 79 seven balls after tea, while Mitchell Starc was gone soon after for one. Head, Cummins and Nathan Lyon followed with Neil Wagner (4-83) and Tim Southee (3-103) doing the damage.
"It's very nice to contribute. It's pretty cool to score a Boxing Day hundred, nice to get my opportunity," said Head.
"I missed out last time [in Melbourne last year] and I'm happy to have cashed in my chance this time."
After Australia resumed on 257-4, pacer Wagner denied Steve Smith his first century of the home summer, dismissing the batsman for 85 with a short ball for the third time in the series.
Smith was out parrying at a bouncer that pinged off the shoulder of his bat before being caught by a leaping Henry Nicholls at gully.
That was as good as it got for the Black Caps who were soon on the back foot as Head and Paine counter-attacked. The pair marched off unbeaten at tea, having survived the whole middle session.
