East Perth’s grip on a coveted top-five spot slipped again on Saturday as the Royals slumped to a 32-point loss at the hands of an inspired Claremont outfit.

Luke Webster’s men could have given themselves some breathing space with a victory over the sixth-placed Tigers, but the club’s fifth-straight loss means only percentage separates East Perth from Claremont, Perth and Peel Thunder with eight rounds to play.

A slick ground ball gather and quick handball from Jarrod Brander helped Brayden Ainsworth boot the game’s opening goal before  the Tigers' forward line dined out on some silver service from its midfield and secured a nine-point lead for the visitors at quarter time.

Onballers Jye Bolton, Tom Curren and Jared Hardisty exerted significant influence in the second term as the Tigers maintained possession and picked apart the Royals’ defence.

Claremont appeared to have broken the game open upon kicking four straight goals, but Jack Petruccelle and Ainsworth found the major opening late in the quarter to reduce East Perth’s deficit to 21 points at the main break.

Early goals to Luke Partington and Matthew Allen gave Royals’ fans hope of a second-half comeback, but back-to-back majors from Claremont spearhead Tom Lee and ruckman Eddie Simpson helped restore the Tigers’ 21-point advantage.

Two more goals from veteran key forward Ian Richardson and former St Kilda midfielder Curren gifted the visitors a 36-point buffer ahead of the final term.

An early fourth-quarter goal to Haydn Busher effectively sealed the match, but East Perth pressed late and kicked the final three goals of the game via Callan England, skipper Pat McGinnity and Ainsworth.

Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to get the Royals over the line, as the Tigers held on for a 14.11 (95) to 9.9 (63) victory.

Partington (27 disposals, one goal), Dom Sheed (25 disposals) and Ainsworth (22 disposals, three goals) led the Royals’ charge in the middle of the ground, while Brendon Ah Chee claimed 18 disposals to go with a mark of the year contender.

Nathan Vardy (43 hitouts) dominated his ruck battle with Simpson, while Daniel Venables collected nine disposals and stuck four effective tackles in his first appearance since sustaining an ankle injury during West Coast’s round four win over Gold Coast.