East Perth notched its fifth successive win with a stirring eight-point victory over Claremont on Saturday.

The Royals edged closer to an elusive finals appearance with its 9.6 (60) to 7.10 (52) triumph in what has been a difficult week for the club.

Senior coach Jaymie Graham said he was proud of the way his troops conducted themselves amidst the tragedy of Beau Chatley’s neck injury a week ago.

“Overall, we were pleased with the result on the back of such a big week for the club,” Graham said.

East Perth revelled in the wet and shot out to a 13 point lead before the first change of ends.

The Royals extended its lead to 25-points courtesy of a four-goal second term, but the Tigers came roaring back into the contest with a two-goals-to-one penultimate term at the Showgrounds.

Just when it looked like Claremont had built up a head of steam, fourth-year Eagle Brant Colledge stopped the Tigers in their tracks with two final quarter goals to get East Perth home.

“The first half we were really predictable and strong in the contest,” Graham said.

“We adjusted to the conditions like we have done in previous weeks when it was wet.

“In the second half I felt like we overused the ball, and I suppose some of those numbers might have been as a result that.

“It played into Claremont’s hands.”

Speedy defender Paddy Brophy topped the Royals’ disposal count with 27 touches.

Graham said the Irishman had made real strides in recent weeks and produced his best performance for the year against Claremont.

“Broph is really working hard on a few areas of his game and we are starting to see, defensively, that he is being really consistent,” Graham said.

“He played to his strengths and gave us some real run and rebound out of the back line.”

Patrick McGinnity brought his elite hunt and intent to the contest and was rewarded with 27 possessions and a goal, Mark Hutchings played his role effectively en route to a 24-touch effort and Tom Lamb continued his good form with 24 possessions, eight marks and a goal.

Graham said Lamb had turned a corner in recent weeks and was relishing his new role on the wing.

“Tom, his first half in particular, was very good,” the coach said.

“Himself and Malcolm Karpany (22 disposals, one goal) on the wing; they have been really consistent in playing their role, but also having strong impacts on the game.

“(Lamb’s) up the ground more, but he’s also been more compliant with what we want, which is pleasing.”

Xavier Ellis, who returned after a three-week stint on the sidelines with a calf injury, claimed 21 possessions, bagged one goal and was solid down back in the final stages of the game while developing midfielders Corey Adamson and Luke Partington both notched 20 touches in the clinches.

Tom Cole got his hands on the ball 19 times, Mitch Brown kicked 1.1 and collected 15 touches and Simon Tunbridge excelled with one goal, 10 marks and 17 disposals.

“Tunbridge has been in good form the past few weeks and got on the end of it with his work rate,” Graham said.

“He had 10 marks, but he also brought strong forward pressure and helped lock the ball in the forward half.”

The senior coach was also happy with Lewis Jetta’s ball use.

“Jetts, while statistically not having a huge game (16 disposals), he had a strong impact with his elite disposal,” Graham said.

“He used the ball very well and we saw some of that speed that we know he has with some defensive efforts and also some run to get on the end of it. That was pleasing.”

Dom Sheed and Kurt Mutimer collected 16 and 11 touches respectively.