Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir believes his side hasn't been overwhelmed by the occasion of finals after their disappointing 32-point loss to Hawthorn.
The Dockers went into the Qualifying Final as favourites having won the minor premiership, but were torn apart by the fourth-placed Hawks.
Fremantle also lost last year's Elimination Final against Gold Coast at home going in as strong favourites. But Longmuir doesn't think his playing group has been overwhelmed by the finals scenario.
"I understand the question (about being overwhelmed)," Longmuir said in the post-game press conference.
"And people might say that. That narrative is there for sure. I just thought Hawthorn pressured us really well early. Especially inside our defensive 50.
"Field position pressure, I thought they got in after us, and really made it hard for us to exit and that probably made us a little bit panicky. I thought it was probably more the pressure rather than the situation."
When questioned about whether Fremantle had timed its run poorly with a bad track of form, Longmuir was quick to counter back.
"I disagree," he said.
"If you go back and look at the Adelaide game (in Round 23) I thought we played a really good brand of footy against a really desperate team. Who had it all to play for."
Fremantle will host a Semi Final next weekend against either Carlton or Geelong.
