HAWTHORN is set to send a group of first to fourth-year players to the Kokoda Track in early 2016 as part of the club's induction for new players.

The Hawks have taken over 140 club representatives to Kokoda in four separate trips since 2004, but have not sent a group since 2011.

The Kokoda track in Papua New Guinea is a 96km trail through the rugged Owen Stanley Range that was made famous by a battle between Allied and Japanese forces during World War Two.

The track has become an increasingly popular destination in the last 15 years.

Hawthorn veteran Jordan Lewis was on the Hawks' first trip back in 2004, and said it was an incredible opportunity.

"It was an amazing experience," Lewis told hawthornfc.com.au.

"You couldn't imagine what the Diggers went through, but it must have been so tough.

"(The trip is) a really important part of the culture of our club."

Lewis won't be making the trip next year. The 30-year-old will take time off and head on holiday to Queensland following the Hawks' finals exit at the hands of the Western Bulldogs last Friday night.

Lewis suffered a shoulder injury early in the opening term that rendered him ineffective for most of the night.    

"I sort of had no strength in my arm from probably the first minute and a half," Lewis said.

"So I was basically useless, and I think the coaches saw that at three-quarter time and said sit the remainder on the bench, which was unfortunate because you want to play well in big games but sometimes that happens."

Lewis is hopeful he won't need surgery, but there is a possibility he will need to go under the knife.  

"It's sit and wait at the moment," Lewis said.

"I'll go and see a specialist and see what they have to say, but at the moment we're thinking maybe just rest, but he might have another opinion on that. I might have to go under, but fingers crossed I don't."