Tasmania 152 for 6 (Jewell 45, Gannon 3-26) trail Western Australia 347 (Whiteman 104, Connolly 90, Cartwright 55, Short 50, Carlisle 3-65) by 195 runs

WA's first innings received a lift with Connolly falling short of being the second youngest Shield final centurion behind Phillip Hughes.

WA resumed at 325 for 8, with anticipation high as a number of patrons rocked up early in the hope of seeing something extraordinary from a 20-year-old some observers have compared to Shaun Marsh.

Connolly started on 73 after his fireworks late on day one, but didn't go for broke even after the early wicket of Gannon. He received strong support from No.11 Rocchiccioli, who shed his attacking instincts and defended solidly. Every ball he survived received applause from the fans, who cheered with gusto at each run from Connolly.

With the field spread far and wide, Connolly was tasked with playing a game of cat and mouse, but on 86 he unfurled a big stroke that was mistimed and hung in the air only to be dropped at deep backward point by Bradley Hope. It was reminiscent of the epic BBL final when he survived a similar drop from Josh Brown, but Connolly could not cash in as he succumbed shortly later.

Gannon and Joel Paris exploited the conditions superbly with Tasmania crawling at barely a run an over. Having survived close calls, Jewell and Charlie Wakim fought hard and combined for a 68-run partnership but eventually WA's pressure proved too much.

After Jarrod Freeman spun the ball sharply on day one, Rocchiccioli loomed as the dangerman and he immediately caused problems. Wakim countered by using his feet and clubbing a six over the long-on boundary, which required Hilton Cartwright to scale the white pickets and find the ball amid the vacant seating.

But it was a risky strategy and proved his undoing when he holed out to Cartwright then Rocchiccioli, just before tea, dismissed Jewell caught behind with a sharp delivery that bounced and hit the edge.

WA eyed further inroads in the final session where wickets often fall in clumps late in the day at the WACA. On restricted bowling duties, Hardie bowled menacingly from the get go and was rewarded by dismissing Jake Doran with a cracking delivery.

But WA were left frustrated with numerous loud appeals turned down with Silk on 28 appearing to edge a rising Gannon delivery outside the off stump.

The rowdy fans in the terraces - with a strong crowd of 1852 in attendance - were starting to get agitated until Silk and Webster fell as the shadows crept onto the ground as WA nestled into a strong position.