Tasmania's batting has again failed to deliver as high-flying Western Australia took early control of the penultimate round Sheffield Shield match at the WACA.

WA ended day one at 1-67, trailing Tasmania by just 112 runs with the visitors bowled out for 179.

There was some joy very late in the day for the Tigers with Cameron Bancroft, the Shield's leading scorer, caught close in off spinner Jarrod Freeman for 28.

Sam Whiteman ended the day unbeaten on 37, with nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli one not out.

It was a promising start for Tasmania after winning the toss, but their last six wickets fell for just 30.

It is the third time in a week that Tasmania were unable to reach 200 against Western Australia, following a crushing 383-run defeat for the Tigers last week in Hobart.

Despite the WACA's reputation for assisting pace bowlers, spinner Rocchiccioli led the way with 4-31, while Charlie Stobo (3-28) and Joel Paris (2-39) were the other multiple wicket-takers.

Openers Tim Ward (44) and Caleb Jewell (40) put on 72 for the opening wicket, with the score then taken to 1-103 before Tasmania lost 3-11.

Six batters reached double figures with Beau Webster (22) the next best.

The visitors surprisingly omitted Ben McDermott for the match with Mac Wright coming in as the Tigers sought to arrest a three-match winless run.

Tasmania started the match a win shy of second-placed Victoria and Queensland, and defeat in the west will likely end their campaign.

Mitch Marsh returned for his first Shield match in nearly two years, while fellow one-day international Marcus Stoinis was rested to begin his preparations for the upcoming three-match series in India.

Marsh will not bowl in the four-day match following a lengthy absence with an ankle injury.

Western Australia are two wins clear at the top of the standings and another win will guarantee hosting rights for the upcoming Shield final.