FREMANTLE will be haunted throughout the summer following its exit from the finals in straight sets, according to midfielder David Mundy.
The veteran Docker said his side had failed to handle the pressure in the two finals against the Sydney Swans and Port Adelaide, and as a result the Dockers become just the fourth team since 2000 to bow out in the semi-finals after finishing in the top four.
"(We're) bitterly disappointed," Mundy told AFL.com.au.
"I felt like the group that we've got is good enough, and I've played in Fremantle sides where that certainly wasn't the case and I know that successful teams can be a fleeting thing, so we're just trying to make the most of it while we've got it.
"To be knocked out in straight sets after finishing top four is a bitter pill to swallow."
Mundy said he was particularly disappointed to be part of a midfield that failed to capitalise on Aaron Sandilands' dominance for the second week in a row.
"I think the last two weeks of big pressure football against really good opposition has found our midfield wanting a little bit," Mundy said.
"So we're going to have to get better in there. We've got Aaron's dominance that we're not really capitalising on.
"To be part of that midfield group that was so comprehensively beaten in the last fortnight especially is really disappointing and it's hard to kind of reconcile personally in my mind."
The Dockers also butchered opportunities in front of goal against Port Adelaide, particularly in the first half. Mundy said those missed chances will hang with the players during a long and arduous pre-season.
"It always comes back to haunt you when you're missing goals like we were. I know it's something that sits a bit uncomfortable in my gut and I'm sure the few of the boys are the same.
"It's going to a long summer thinking about those demons."
