Fremantle midfielder David Mundy has refused to make excuses for his side's 42-point loss to Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium on Saturday, despite the absence of important senior players Matthew Pavlich and Luke McPharlin, lost during the build-up to the match.

Pavlich was ruled out for more than a month last Thursday when he was sent for tendon surgery on his left foot, whilst McPharlin was a late withdrawal in Launceston having not recovered fully from a heavy concussion suffered against Essendon in round three.

Despite losing 492 games of experience leading into the Hawthorn clash Mundy refused to use it as a reason for his team's second consecutive loss.

"Missing Luke late wasn't an ideal preparation, but we're a team based on effort and role, not personnel," Mundy said.

"I think Tanner (Smith) came in and performed admirably.

"Obviously he was playing against David Hale who is quite a lot stronger and taller than he is, but I think we saw the beginnings of what could be a really good player in Tanner.

"But having Luke (McPharlin) out, or Matthew (Pavlich) isn't an excuse we're happy with, or we're going to run with. We pride ourselves on effort," he said.

Fremantle rued a slow start in the first term, conceding a five-goal deficit at quarter-time, and despite breaking even through the next two terms the damage was done.

"I think it was just a mental lapse from the playing group. We were a bit sloppy early and we really weren't taking our chances.

"From quarter-time we thought the game went really well. We couldn't knuckle down into the deficit too much but I thought we were playing a lot better," he said.    

The Dockers moved to within 17-points early in the last quarter, but Hawthorn kicked the last four goals of the game, inflating the margin.

"It only blew out because we were taking a few more risks and trying to score and get back in the game.

"I'm not sure if that's a true indication of where we're at."

Fremantle are now 2-2 after going within a kick of starting the year with three straight wins. They face Richmond this week coming off their first loss of the year.

"They've had a great start to the season. I've got my younger sister living with me and she's a mad Richmond supporter so there is a bit of lip going on in my household already.?

"They've got a really potent midfield and some great forwards again, so it's going to be a big test for us."