East Perth recorded one of the most thrilling wins of the 2018 WAFL season with a heart-stopping after-the-siren triumph over Perth at Leederville Oval on Saturday.

The Royals looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory after securing a 26-point advantage at three-quarter-time, but the Demons came roaring back into the contest and hit the front late in the piece on the back of a brilliant six-goal surge.

Trailing by three points with less than a minute left on the clock, East Perth locked the ball in its forward half and forced a stoppage just outside its attacking arc.

A brilliant piece of ruck work from Fraser McInnes helped co-captain Pat McGinnity gets his hands on the ball and fire it out to Francis Watson, who launched the Burley inside the forward 50 hoping for a mark.

The ball hit the deck and Luke Partington had an opportunity to ice the game with a snap from 35m, but he shanked his shot at goal.

Fortunately the ball floated to the advantage of Royals’ co-captain Kyle Anderson, who reeled in a contested mark in the forward pocket moments before the final siren sounded.

The 28-year-old full back calmly slotted his set shot to get secure the unlikely 12.11 (83) to 11.14 (80) triumph.

Matt Allen, Liam Ryan and Nathan Blee hit the scoreboard early to gift the home side a five-point lead at quarter time, an advantage East Perth would double come the main break.

Errant kicking hurt Perth in the penultimate quarter as the Royals lifted, kicking three straight goals to edge ahead by 26 points leading into the last change of ends.

Corey Byrne and Cody Leggett got Perth rolling in the fourth quarter with back-to-back goals as the Demons built up a head of steam and kicked four more majors to steal the lead before the climatic conclusion to the game.

Forward turned midfielder Matt Allen starred with 26 disposals, 10 score involvements and a goal, while first-year on-baller Hamish Brayshaw was strong in the clinches with 22 disposals, five inside 50s and a goal.

Fraser McInnes (48 hitouts, 18 disposals) was dominant in the ruck, Liam Ryan booted two goals from his 10 touches, while defenders Oscar Allen and Francis Watson (15 disposals each) were solid in defence.

Jackson Nelson was reported for striking Perth's Cody Ninyette and accepted a one-week sanction for the incident.