East Perth cemented its spot in the WAFL’s top five with a fourth consecutive win on Saturday.

The Royals’ 13-point win over arch rivals West Perth put the club a game clear of sixth-placed East Fremantle, who was beaten convincingly by Peel Thunder at the weekend.

West Coast ruck in waiting Jonathan Giles got the black and blue off to a perfect start at Medibank Stadium with a strong clunk and steady set shot from 45m in the sixth minute of the opening term, but the big man’s good work was undone by Falcon Max Duffy, who snapped a speculative shot that bounced through the uprights seconds before the quarter-time siren sounded.

Joel Leeson edged the visitors further ahead in the seventh minute of the second term with a desperate soccer from just outside the goal square and the Falcons appeared up and about as they peppered East Perth’s big sticks for much of the quarter.

Fortunately for the Royals, West Perth skewed seven shots wide of the mark and the home side collected the second and final goal of the term when Matthew Allen kicked a clever centring ball, Malcolm Karpany took a strong, contested mark and handed the ball off to a galloping Liam Duggan, who streamed into the goal square and reduced the home side’s deficit to just eight points.

East Perth responded to a stern but insightful half-time address from senior coach Jaymie Graham with five unanswered goals in the third quarter.

Giles bagged the blue and black’s first two majors of the penultimate term with two inspiring marks and penetrating set shots through the wind and Karpany epitomised East Perth’s intent when he brought an opponent to ground, won a holding the ball free-kick and speared his shot from 40m through the tall posts.

Simon Tunbridge continued the Royals’ onslaught when he was awarded a point-blank shot at goal following a 50m free kick for a late shot on teammate Matthew Allen and Corey Adam rubbed salt in West Perth’s wounds when he streamed into the goal square and kicked East Perth’s seventh goal of the day.

Jamie Bennell showed great composure to set up the Royals’ first and only goal of the final quarter.

Bennell won a hard ball on the right wing, lowered his eyes and hit Tunbridge with a perfect centring ball 25m from goals.

The 23-year-old made Bennell’s smart piece of play count by dissecting the goals with a piercing kick.

Duffy and Mark Hamilton chipped away at East Perth’s lead with goals in the 18^th and 22^nd minutes, but it wasn’t enough to chase down the Royals.

Corey Adamson topped the disposal count with 33 touches in addition to his third quarter goal, Luke Partington, Eric Mackenzie and Malcolm Karpany each amassed 20 possessions and Tom Lamb continued his good form with 18 gives, three marks and two tackles.

Jackson Nelson scrapped his way to 17 touches, Tunbridge finished with 16 disposals and two goals while Kurt Mutimer was dominant off the ball with four effective tackles to go with his 14 possessions.

Jonathan Giles, who bagged a game-high three goals, also won 30 hit-outs, Jamie Bennell and Paddy Brophy got their hands on the ball 13 and 12 times respectively and Liam Duggan collected 11 touches and stuck four tackles.

Dom Sheed, who was tagged the entire match, fought his way to 10 touches and Matthew Allen made the most of his 10 disposals with two goal assists.