HAWTHORN Captain Luke Hodge says the 2013 Premiership victory is now a distant memory as the players and coaches prepare for season 2014.

The Hawks defeated the Dockers in the 2013 decider just two months ago but it doesn't take long for the AFL world to move on.

The entire playing list returned for pre-season training on Monday but the Hawks skipper says the attention turned to next year well before 2 December.

“We understand that as soon as you start training again, we’re focused on 2014,” he told hawthornfc.com.au

“For a week or two after the Grand Final we were still celebrating, but we know it’s a big build up until the 2014 season.

“2013 is a memory at the moment because we’ve got our thoughts focused on 2014 and what we can do.”

The playing group will depart for a 12-day pre-Christmas training camp in South Africa on Sunday, where the coaches and fitness staff have already warned won’t be a holiday.

It is the first time the Hawks will venture overseas for a training camp since it last walked the Kokoda trail in 2011, instead opting for a pre-season camp in Maroochydore ahead of the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

Hodge says he and the players know the camp will be tough about hope it will provide the foundations for another successful year.

“All training camps are fairly intense,” he said.

“We’ve been to Maroochydore the last two years and that’s been excellent but this year we’re lucky enough to go to South Africa and the Club has a fair few things planned for us

“Some of the things are a bit of fun but we’ve got two four or five day training camps, which seem to be pretty hard if you talk to the fitness guys.

“We’re looking forward to it because it’ll be a great build up for a solid season.”

Personally, Hodge is fit after requiring no post-season surgery and is ready for the challenges the fitness staff have in store.

“I feel great, I’ve had no operations which has been great,” he said.

“I’ve been able to run since October, which is the first time I’ve been able to do that in a number of years.

“Touch wood I stay fit and have no more injuries.”