East Perth has staged a stunning final quarter comeback to record a one-point win against South Fremantle.

The Royals trailed the Bulldogs by 17 points heading into the final quarter and it appeared their run of three-straight wins might come to an end when Jarrod Garlett extended the home side’s lead to 23 points early in the final term.

Midfilder Stanley Wright kept East Perth’s hopes alive with a quick response in the sixth minute and key forward Tom Lamb got the visitors within two straight kicks when he reeled in a diving mark and kicked truly from 30m.

Lamb set the stage for a thrilling finish when he got on the end of a daring Royals’ surge through the corridor and picked up six points from the goal square.

Enter Mark Hutchings.

The dogged East Perth midfielder levelled scores at 70 points apiece with just over a minute on the clock when he slotted a free kick from 25m on an acute angle.

The gritty 25-year-old backed up his ice-cold kick with a big centre clearance, which propelled the ball into the Royals’ attacking arc.

Drew Petrie emerged with the ball in hand amidst the chaos of a three-man marking contest, and although his set shot from 45m came up just short, East Perth ruckman Jonathan Giles managed to punch the Burley through the goals for what would be the winning point.

“I think it only just made it to the line and Gilesy was good enough to hit it over,” Petrie said after the game.

“I only kicked it from 51m. Maybe I need to get used to kicking Burleys a bit more often. I didn’t flush it too well.

“It was a great result. Four-in-a-row for the boys.”

Hutchings starred with 27 possessions, five marks and his all-important fourth quarter goal, on-baller Luke Partington amassed 32 touched and Lewis Jetta collected 21 disposals during a dour day at Fremantle Oval.

Tom Lamb collected three goals, Will Schofield had 19 touches to go with a second quarter goal and West Coast emergencies Petrie and Jackson Nelson finshed the game with 15 touches each.

Backman Tom Gorter gathered 14 disposals, Malcolm Karpany and Tom Cole had 13 touches while defenders Josh Rotham and Eric Mackenzie each collected 11 disposals.

Daniel Venables got his hands on the ball 10 times while battling a tag and Giles effected 25 hit outs.