Hawthorn players return to Melbourne from their trip to Papua New Guinea where they trekked throught the gruelling Kokoda trail.

The group of players include Simon Taylor as well as new recruits Brendan Whitecross, Cyril Rioli and Stuart Dew.

"It was emotionally and physically the hardest thing I've ever done," Taylor said.

"You were wet by nine o'clock in the morning with sweat, and you would stay that way for the rest of the day. And then you'd bathe in a creek to try and get the sweat off your clothes, which you put back on the next day."