East Perth and Subiaco produced an enthralling Good Friday encounter at Medibank Stadium, but the Royals were left to rue two goal-less quarters when slipping to a 24-point defeat.

The Lions kicked six unanswered goals in both the opening term and the final quarter as they maintained their unbeaten record from five matches with an impressive 16.10 (106) to 12.10 (82) victory.

After the Royals clawed their way back from a 37-point quarter-time deficit to lead by 15 at the last change, it seemed they had done enough to claim the points, but the Lions rallied again and East Perth kicked just a solitary behind in the last quarter.

In the middle period of the game, the turnaround was sparked by some energy through the midfield which had been lacking in the first stanza.

Veteran Sam Butler was switched from defence into the midfield and he found some willing allies in Simon Tunbridge and Brant Colledge. They were aided by some terrific ruck work from Callum Sinclair, while Jeremy McGovern and Blayne Wilson, who had started well in defence, continued to excel.

McGovern was probably best afield with a consistent four-quarter effort which saw him amass 20 possessions and take 10 marks, largely deep in defence, while Wilson had 24 disposals and took five marks.

Unfortunately, a number of players who helped propel the Royals to the mid-game ascendancy dropped away in the last 30 minutes as the Lions surged to victory.

But big men Scott Lycett and Cal Sinclair were both impressive. Lycett had 15 possessions, took eight marks and kicked 5.1 in an eye-catching performance, largely in attack, but also as a mobile ruckman.

Sinclair was the most efficient ruckman on the ground – though former West Coast and Melbourne big man Paul Johnson was also formidable. Sinclair had 20 touches, took nine marks and won 27 hit-outs against his former club.

Hard-nosed midfielder Pat McGinnity had his moments in the game, along with Jacob Brennan and Ashley Smith, but could not provide enough run and energy late in the game to deny Subiaco.

Young forward Malcolm Karpany struggled to impact the game, but will learn from his second taste of senior football.

The club also had four players engaged in the reserves encounter, with developing defenders Tom Barrass and Rowen Powell under notice, while midfielders Dylan Main and Will Maginness also lively.

Barrass, in his first game of the season, had 17 touches in a little more than half a game, while Powell accumulated 28 touches and took seven marks. Maginness accumulated 24 possessions and took eight marks, with Main picking up 18 disposals and eight marks off a wing.