Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich says he won’t draw on the pain of last year’s grand final loss as the AFL club attempts to break their 20-year premiership duck.
The Dockers’ September campaign begins on Saturday when they lock horns with minor premiers Sydney at ANZ Stadium.
The winner of the match will host a preliminary final, while the loser will be thrust into a sudden-death elimination final.
Fremantle’s wayward kicking in front of goal cost them dearly in last year’s 15-point grand final loss to Hawthorn.
And with All-Australian defenders Michael Johnson (back) and Luke McPharlin (calf) currently sidelined through injury, the Dockers face a fight to win this year’s flag.
Pavlich is in the twilight of his decorated career and is desperate to win a flag before his time in the game runs out.
But the 32-year-old said the agony of coming so close last season won’t play on his mind during this year’s finals campaign.
“I don’t draw upon it,” Pavlich said.
“You learn from the experiences and you learn from the times you would like to have over again, both individually and as a team.
“But that’s a long time ago.
“The goal posts have shifted since then.
“Some players may – you will need to ask them – but 12 months down the track a lot has changed.”
Sydney’s star-studded forward line looms as Fremantle’s biggest threat.
Lance Franklin, Adam Goodes, Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid have the ability to blow any team out of the water.
But Dockers coach Ross Lyon says the game will be won and lost in the midfield, with the return of Nat Fyfe from suspension helping Fremantle’s cause.