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Travis Head played patiently for a second Test century and helped Australia to 467, before New Zealand slumped to 2-44 after day two of the Boxing Day Test.
A determined Travis Head shrugged off accusations of wastefulness to convert a start into a century before Australia's bowlers rammed home their advantage over New Zealand on Friday.
Head turned his ninth score above 50 into his second Test century to help Australia to 467, before the Black Caps reached stumps on day two at the MCG on 2-44.
Recalled quick James Pattinson snared the key scalp of Kane Williamson, who was caught after skying a pull shot on nine.
Pat Cummins' seven-over opening spell of 1-8 also netted the wicket of new opener Tom Blundell (15), who was also caught behind by Tim Paine.
But the star on day two was Head with his 114.
With his spot in the side in question headed into the Boxing Day Test, the South Australian's innings was arguably the most important of his career.
Accused of being wasteful by Ricky Ponting and told to pull his ego back when he left another big score slip in the series opener in Perth, there were no signs of concentration lapses in Melbourne.
Patient throughout, Head spent 49 minutes and 42 balls in the 90s before he brought up three figures by driving Tim Southee through backward point just after tea.
"It was about making sure I was very tight in my defence and waiting for a cut shot or one off my pads," Head said.
"It was a very refined blueprint for me today."
Head's first-class conversion rate also stands at turning one-in-five 50s to hundreds.
But he says it's something he's improved on ahead of his 26th birthday on Sunday.
"Over the last couple of years as I have matured I have been able to get more hundreds," he said.
"When I was younger I used to try and get through the 90s quicker than I should have. Over time you get more mature and you relax.
"I was happy to do it in ones or if I got an opportunity hit a four. I was happy to nudge my way there. I probably took a bit longer than I thought."
The ton should go a long way to locking his spot down long-term, after being axed for the last Test of the Ashes this year and having pressure mount this summer.
He moved his feet well and cut with great control throughout, as part of a 150-run stand with Paine for the sixth wicket that put Australia on top.
Paine's up-tempo 79 should also end any questions over his short-term future, as he pulled powerfully and drove with precision.
It was his highest Test score in nine years, before he was out lbw to Neil Wagner after a successful review by Williamson.
His innings also drove New Zealand's bowlers into the ground, after they'd threatened to open the door back into the match when Smith copped a brute of a ball from Wagner (4-83) on 85.
The Australian star got one that rose steeply at him from the left-armer. Smith took evasive action but the ball ricocheted off his bat handle and lobbed to gully.
Henry Nicholls leapt to take an acrobatic catch, ending Smith's bid to become the first player to score centuries in five straight MCG Test appearances.
