IN AGONY, with his entire body cramping as it effectively gave up, Hawthorn defender Brent Guerra focused on the starkest of emotional contrasts.

He recounted the high of the Hawks' 2008 premiership and the low of their Grand Final loss to the Sydney Swans last season.

The exhausted 31-year-old told AFL.com.au the sweet feeling of success he experienced five years ago drove him over the line despite a last-term barrage from the Dockers.

"I was cramping in my stomach, my legs – I was cramping everywhere," Guerra said.

"That cup [kept me going], mate, and the feeling of '08 – we knew how good it was and we didn't want to let that slip again like last year.

"We just kept going and going and here we are, we've just won another one.

"I can't explain it, a lot of players don't play in one but to be able to say you're a two-time premiership player is a great feeling.

"It's something that I'll definitely hold with me forever."

Out of contract, Guerra said he was undecided as to whether he'd continue his AFL career, but has previously said he hoped to play on next season.

In the rooms after the game, he said he just wanted to enjoy the next week and his second premiership before deciding on his future.

"[I'll] just enjoy the week and then I'll work out what's going on," he said.

"I've got no idea, I'll just wait and see, see how everything goes…I'm 50-50."

Hawthorn looked to have the game firmly in its grasp when it entered the main break 23 points up, only for the Dockers to storm to within three points in the third term.

Even late in the final quarter, Guerra and his fellow defenders were forced to withstand a barrage of Fremantle forward 50 entries.

But Guerra's confidence in his teammates never wavered.

"We felt great - well, not great; we felt very good - we know we've done it all year. The defence have held together," he said.

"Freo are a good side and they were coming hard but we were able to stand up to the boys' credit."