Hardie helped lead a spirited WA fightback on a rain-disrupted day two at the WACA Ground on Friday before bad light ended play.
WA were 5-175 at stumps in response to Victoria's 195 after Hardie (45, eight fours) and Ashton Turner (49no) compiled a crucial 86-run stand.
The gutsy counter-attack swung the momentum back in WA's favour after they had collapsed to 4-53 earlier in the day.
Hardie had also impressed with the ball, taking 2-29 from 14 overs.
The 24-year-old had to compete with fellow WA fast-bowling allrounders Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh for opportunities earlier in his career.
He was batting at No.7 when he scored an unbeaten 174 in last season's drawn Shield final to help secure WA the title.
Hardie has since made the most of being promoted to No.5 in the order.
"There's been a natural progression for him to get up the order as our order has changed a little bit," coach Adam Voges said.
"It's always a balancing act with your allrounders as to where to bat them and how much workload they have with the ball in hand.
"We've managed Aaron a fair bit in the back half of this season with his bowling loads but we've unleashed him for this game and there's no real restrictions on him."
Touted for Test selection by all-time great Ricky Ponting, Hardie has been named in an Australia A squad to tour New Zealand next month for tour matches which will form part of preparations for the Ashes.
"We're all pretty impressed with what Aaron's done to date. I've got no doubt that at some point, higher honours will come," Voges said.
"Anyone who can bat in your top six, who can offer the quality of overs that Aaron can, obviously they're going to balance any team."
With WA trailing Victoria by 20 runs in their first innings, Voges was confident an outright winner would emerge across the five-day contest, despite forecasts of further rain.
He was pleased with his side's counter-punching to shift the pressure back onto the visitors after Will Sutherland (4-44) and Scott Boland (1-27) strangled the top order.
"I think there's risk-reward. I think you have to be proactive," Voges said.
"That was hard to do with Boland in particular, and Sutherland got some good rewards too. We had to try and find a way.
"Most of our boys and most batsmen play better when they're looking to score."
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