East Perth kept its WAFL finals dream alive with a commanding 61-point win over East Fremantle on Saturday.

The Royals’ now sit just one game out of the top five and trail sixth-placed Claremont by the slimmest of percentage margins following their 16.7 (103) to 6.6 (42) triumph over the Sharks.

The home side launched out of the blocks at Leederville Oval, booting five goals to a solitary East Fremantle point in the opening quarter – two of which went to imposing tall forward Fraser McInnes.

East Perth’s momentum slowed in the second quarter, but they still managed to kick two goals to the Sharks’ three behinds as the weather set in an made attractive footy impossible.

The Sharks kicked their first major of the day in the opening minute of the penultimate term, but East Perth arrested control of the quarter late in the piece and secured a 49-point advantage at the final change of ends.

The Royals kicked on in the final term, booting five-goals-to-three to secure their seventh win of the season.

Inside midfielder Kurt Mutimer starred with 31 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 13 effective tackles and two goals, while Tom Lamb revelled in a positional switch to the wing and got his hands on the ball 28 times.

Scott Lycett played his best game since returning from shoulder surgery, amassing 65 hit outs – 10 of which were to advantage – 24 disposals, one goal and six tackles. His rucking compatriot, Jonathan Giles, effected 52 it outs and won 11 hard-ball gets.

Bustling on-baller Jordan Snadden gathered 15 possessions and effected three tackles before being concussed late in the second quarter, while Fraser McInnes collected 18 disposals, five marks and four inside 50s to go with his three goals.

Defender Tom Gorter got his hands on the Burley 18 times and effected eight spoils, Francis Watson won the ball nine times and Josh Rotham collected seven touches and effected three spoils against the Sharks.