FREMANTLE ruckman Jon Griffin could not believe he hit the post with a simple set shot after the half-time siren in Friday night's preliminary final loss to Hawthorn.
Griffin took a big contested mark 30 metres out directly in front just before the siren rang. The margin stood at 17 points and a goal would have given the Dockers serious momentum in a tight contest.
He was celebrating a potential goal before it went through, and did not see the ball swerve late and hit the inside of the post.
"I struck it that well I thought it was home and hosed," Griffin told AFL.com.au after the game. "It was disappointing."
It was a night of missed opportunities for the Dockers. Chris Mayne muffed a set shot early in the game from directly in front that would have given them the first three goals of the match.
Instead the Hawks kicked the next six goals to lead by 25 points early in the second term.
"Hawthorn is a great side," Griffin said.
"You make a mistake and they make you pay."
It was a bittersweet end to the year for Griffin. He played well in eight of the last 10 games of the season for the Dockers after usurping Zac Clarke as the Dockers' second ruckman.
He also kicked two goals in the loss to Hawthorn on Friday night to go with 14 possessions and four marks.
The former Crow said the Dockers would be driven by the loss.
"We're all disappointed," Griffin said.
"We want to get to the ultimate. We want to win a premiership. It was a disappointing loss.
"This will drive me in the off-season and hopefully I can come back bigger and better for next season."
