The Power arrived at Mt Hotham in North East Victoria on Monday for a weeklong training camp, and on Tuesday morning set off for a trek up the steep Mount Feathertop.
The group of 30 players and six staff were more than halfway up the mountain when they noticed the smoke becoming thicker before seeing flames.
With mobile coverage the Power were able to alert emergency services of their location and within minutes a helicopter – which seated 15 people – was in the area.
After several attempts to land, the helicopter airlifted half of the playing group to safety, before returning to pick up the remainder of the squad, and then making one more trip for Power staff and two other bushwalkers stuck in the vicinity.
Gippsland Power regional manager Peter Francis was on the hike and said while they never felt at threat, concern grew as flames moved closer.
"At no time did we feel like we were in any danger," Francis said.
"A couple of the boys were panicking a little bit but we managed to settle them down. On top of Feathertop there's not many trees or foliage that could actually burn so while we really were up there we were fairly safe.
"The only time there was a little bit of danger was the last time the helicopter came in because the fire was starting to spike right where the helicopter was trying to get us."
The team cut short the training camp and returned for Gippsland on Tuesday night.
The Power lost the 2012 TAC Cup Grand Final to the Oakleigh Chargers by one point in overtime. It had three players – Tim Membrey (Sydney Swans), Nick Graham (Carlton) and Will Hams (Essendon) – drafted to AFL clubs last year.
Follow Callum Twomey on Twitter at @AFL_CalTwomey.
