Nathan Lyon took five wickets to reduce the West Indies to 252-9 and give Australia the edge after day three of the second Test.
The Windies began the day in trouble at 49-3 in reply to the Aussies first-innings total of 311 but, after Darren Bravo had fallen for 38, an excellent stand of 130 between Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Narsingh Deonarine got them right back into the contest.
Deonarine hit seven fours and one six in his solid knock of 55 and, when he was fifth out with the score on 230, it looked as though the hosts would still secure a first-innings lead.
But Lyon then decimated the middle and lower order, trapping Chanderpaul in front for a superb 94, before removing Darren Sammy (1), Shane Shillingford (4) and Kemar Roach (0) in the space of just a few overs.
Carlton Baugh is still there on 17 but, with number 11 Fidel Edwards at the other end, it should not be long before the Baggy Greens are batting on day four.
The other wickets were shared between Ben Hilfenhaus, Michael Beer, James Pattinson and very occasional bowler Mike Hussey.