Western Australia has set NSW a huge task after compiling a massive 8-499 late on day two of the Sheffield Shield clash at the SCG.
When bad light stopped play at 5.24pm, Steve Magoffin (2) and Josh Mangan (5) were at the crease after an interrupted day's play dominated by the visitors.
Less than two hours of action was possible after rain prevented a start until 3.15pm.
It was enough time for Luke Ronchi to complete his fourth first class century after being dropped on 99.
The keeper-batsman was fortunate to reach his second ton against the Blues after blasting a well-struck drive to Phil Jaques at short cover when he was on 99.
Jaques was unable to grasp the sharp chance off Burt Cockley's bowling, enabling a relieved Ronchi to pick up two runs.
Theo Doropoulos was untroubled in taking his overnight score from 47 to 61 before top-edging Cockley (1-106) to Ben Rohrer at point.
That ended an invaluable sixth wicket partnership with Ronchi, which yielded 180 runs.
Ashley Noffke made a brisk 31 before being run out with the score on 484.
Fifteen runs later Ronchi's knock came to an end on 148 when he smashed a Stuart Clark (2-86) delivery straight to Rohrer at cover.
Play was called off for the day shortly after.
Western Australia 1st innings
Robinson b Smith 141
Towers c Smith b Clark 5
Marcus Stoinis c Katich b Smith 22
Marcus North c Hughes b Smith 34
Bandy c Haddin b Stark 32
Doropoulos c Rohrer b Cockley 65
Ronchi c Rohrer b Clark 148
Noffke run out (Thornely) 31
Magoffin not out 2
Mangan not out 5
Extras: 14 (1b, 3lb, 10nb,)
Total: 499 (7 wickets; 122.2 overs)
FOW: 1-19, 2-51, 3-125, 4-235, 5-247, 6-427, 7-484
Bowling
Clark 29.2 - 4- 86 - 2
Starc 19.5 - 4 - 55 - 1 (5nb)
Smith 34.1 - 4 - 164 - 3
Cockley 21 - 3 – 106 - 1 (3nb)
Casson 15 - 1 - 68 - 0 (2nb)
Rohrer 3 - 1- 16 – 0