David Mundy had to leave two of his children back in Perth, making the last match of his stellar AFL career even harder to take.
Mundy kicked a goal in the last quarter as Fremantle lost their MCG semi-final to Collingwood on Saturday night by 20 points.
The midfielder retires at eighth on the AFL games list with 376, easily the most by a Fremantle or West Coast player.
While wife Sally and middle son Hudson were on the ground after the siren to mark the occasion - and there were plenty of other family and friends at the game as well - eldest child Finn and daughter Evie could not make the trip.
"I'm probably more sad that we have two little ones at home as well, who aren't able to experience this," Mundy said after he was chaired from the field.
"It's been great having Sal and Hudson with me, but it would have been lovely to have Finn and Evie with us as well."
Hudson is a chip off the old block, boasting a mean kick, and is also perceptive.
"Hudson asked me just then what I'm going to be doing for a job now," Mundy said post-match.
"I haven't figured that out yet, but we'll get there."
Mundy said it was a tough way for the season, and his playing career, to end.
"We played pretty ordinary for three quarters, really," he said.
"We just made some really fundamental, basic errors around the contest really and Collingwood were able to capitalise off the back of that.
"It's pretty tough to swallow."
But Mundy is bullish about the future, saying players such as Andrew Brayshaw and Caleb Serong will continue to flourish.
"That growth we've seen in our group in particular over the last three years has been really rewarding," he said.
"There are bright times ahead."
Coach Justin Longmuir said the Dockers would miss Mundy's experience.
"Since my time at the club he's been able to really impart his knowledge and experiences and lessons onto that young midfield group and he's helped set them up for success in the future," he said.
"It's hard to put into words after the game what he means to us and the significance of the moment, but it's as simple as thanking him for all he's done for us.
"His legacy is going to be left on the club and individuals for a long period of time."
Longmuir said the Dockers would "work through" whether Mundy would remain at the club as an assistant coach or in another capacity.
