East Perth have played spoilsport for Claremont's centenary celebrations, handing the ladder leaders their first loss of the season in stunning style by claiming a 39-point victory.
Ahead of the start of the game, the Tigers — who were sporting a special heritage guernsey — paid tribute to a number of legends from their past premierships, who entered Revo Fitness Stadium holding cups they played starring roles in securing.
But the day turned out to belong to the Royals, who exacted their revenge for a loss to the same opponent in last year's preliminary final by shutting down the competition's hottest side to win 11.13 (79) to 6.4 (40).
Last year's beaten grand finalists produced an even-handed effort led by midfield stalwarts Hamish Brayshaw (23 disposals, two goals) and Angus Scott (29 disposals) and were well served by each of their seven returning players after last week's State game bye, including key forward Tom Graham (three goals).
In their final auditions before Tuesday night's mid-season draft, lively midfielder-forward Zac Mainwaring (21 disposals, seven tackles) and key defender Jasper Peace were among the Tigers' best, but it was teenage East Perth backman Jake Soutar (20 disposals, six marks) who produced the most impressive performance of the trio.
Despite conditions being perfect for a clash between two of the competition's premiership contenders, the contest was consistently scrappy throughout the course of the afternoon until being broken open late by the winners.
East Perth proved early they would not be walkovers on their opponents' big day, applying frantic pressure and responding to the opener from small forward Jack Musika (two goals) with the next three goals to open up an early lead.
The Tigers lifted to boss proceedings throughout the second term but their hard work brought only one goal from Max Spyvee as they consistently let themselves down with the final kick of their chains.
After heading into the main break in arrears for the first time this season, Claremont slipped behind further throughout the course of a third quarter completely dominated by the Royals.
East Perth's first six scoring shots of the term netted only a sole goal for Graham before Sam Van Diemen and co-captains Christian Ameduri (two goals) and Hamish Brayshaw stepped up to give them some much-needed scoreboard reward.
Early in the final term, Ben Middleton was not able to back up a massive pack mark with a major which would have hugely deflated the Tigers, but the Royals still managed to strike first and second through Graham slotting a pair of set shots.
With the margin out to 40 points, Claremont's Talon Delacey capitalised on a brilliant inside-50 handball from Bailey Rogers (29 disposals, one goal) to finally snap a run of five unanswered goals and give their supporters a glimmer of hope.
But the Royals quickly hit back through Sebit Kuek before Brayshaw brilliantly kicked his second major on the run and passionately celebrated with a tug at his guernsey to send their supporters into raptures.
Scoreboard
EAST PERTH 3.1, 3.4, 7.11, 11.13 (79)
CLAREMONT 2.2, 3.2, 4.2, 6.4 (40)
Goals
EAST PERTH: T Graham 3, C Ameduri 2, H Brayshaw 2, S Kuek 2, M Schofield, S Van Diemen.
CLAREMONT: J Musika 2, T Delacey, J Hunter, M Spyvee, B Rogers.
Best
EAST PERTH: H Brayshaw, A Scott, J Soutar, T Graham, L Foley, L Tedesco.
CLAREMONT: B Rogers, C England, Z Mainwaring, J Musika.
Umpires: M Adams, R Harrison, B Evans, B Laycock. Crowd: About 3000 at Revo Fitness Stadium.
