FREMANTLE ruckman Aaron Sandilands is confident the team will quickly draw a line under Saturday's disappointing loss and turn its attention to next weekend's home final.

The Dockers will host either Richmond or Port Adelaide in Perth next Saturday night in a must-win semi-final if they are to reach the third preliminary final in the club's 20-year history.

"Immediately after the game everyone is pretty flat," Sandilands said.

"We will regroup and review the game and we will stick together.

"No doubt we will come out next weekend and have a crack."

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One comfort the Dockers can take is that they are heading back home to Perth for next weekend's game, where the club has won 11 out of 12 matches this season. The only loss was against North Melbourne in round six.

The Dockers also have wins over both Port Adelaide (in round 23) and the Tigers (round 13) during the home-and-away season.

The 31-year-old Sandilands said the club's recent experience in finals - Fremantle has been a part of September in four of the past five years - will prove invaluable as they prepare for the semi-final.

He said finishing in the top four meant the club had an opportunity to fight another day.

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"You get that second chance and it is important that we regroup quickly," Sandilands said.

"When you lose a game, the quicker the next game comes the better."

Sandilands dominated the hit-outs on Saturday afternoon at ANZ Stadium, getting first hands on the footy on 42 occasions, helping his side win the clearance count 42-39.

However, it was a different story in the first half, where the Swans were able to take the footy away from the stoppages 20 times to Fremantle's 14.

"As a midfield group we were disappointed with our first half," Sandilands said.

"They are an exceptional clearance side."