For a second successive week, it was a case of East Perth not so much getting out of jail but more of nearly letting the prisoner escape.
Against South Fremantle in Round 13, the Royals led by 40 points late in the third quarter, only to hang on by just 3 points.
Entering time-on of the final quarter against Subiaco, the difference was 22 points until 3 quick goals by the Lions made the game very interesting, with the blue-and-blacks recording another 3-point win.
Remarkably, this was East Perth's fourth 3-point win in their past 7 games, having pipped East Fremantle and West Perth by the same margin, which would have to be some sort of record.
Including a 9-point loss to Claremont and 1-point defeat at the hands of Swans in recent weeks, you would not want to have a dodgy heart watching Royals games.
It's a rare year when East Perth does the double over a gallant Subi, with both sides admittedly missing several key players through injury.
The difference between the two sides was paper thin but without Mitch Crowden (32 disposals, 9 tackles, 2 goals), Angus Schumacher (30 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals) and Scott Jones (50 hitouts), the Royals would've been "goneski".
