AN EIGHT week break over the off-season has dual Hawthorn premiership star Jack Gunston ready to attack another pre-season.

A week after Hawthorn’s back-to-back premiership triumph, Gunston jetted off with 14 teammates to the United States to rest both mind and body.

While the off-season period can drag on for fans, hungry to see their new recruits and heroes in action, it presents a valuable time for the players.

After a long, grueling but ultimately successful season, it gives the playing group the opportunity to re-boot for the next season.

“Once you’re out of Melbourne or out of Australia it’s pretty easy to switch off,” Gunston told hawthornfc.com.au

“It’s what you need to do – you need to refresh your mind and totally get away from footy.

“I spent a bit of time in the States – I went over there with a few of the boys and laid low for a couple of weeks.

“When I came back I had a few weddings to go, including Jordan Lewis who got married over the off-season.”

The off-season isn’t all holidays for the players, though.

While enjoying time away from Melbourne there is still an element of training required to ensure the group is ready for pre-season training.

Being away with a number of his teammates, Gunston said it was handy to train together in the morning and sticking to the program.

“Some guys like going away by themselves or with their girlfriends and getting away from the club for that time,” he said.

“(But) then we also had about 14 or so guys get away together – it works out well because then you can train together and have those early mornings to get the sessions out of the way so you have the whole day to do whatever you want wherever you are.

“We have about two-three weeks of actually doing nothing and really just having a good rest.

“Then you start to ease back into it to get some time into your legs that you need to do over the off-season so you come back in decent shape.

“We trained most days then went and explored to enjoy the time away.”

Now in his second week of training, the 23-year-old Hawk is fit and training well.

“I’m ready to go,” Gunston said.

“I was happy with my time in the 2.2km time trial.

“At this stage though, it’s just good being out there with no niggles so you can run around fresh.

“You come off blowing at the end of the sessions and spend a lot of time in the gym as I have done in every pre-season so far.

“I’m looking forward to the camp and getting away with all the boys and the coaches.”