HAWTHORN has appointed Sam Mitchell as the club's new captain on a night when it farewelled retiring skipper Richie Vandenberg at the club's best-and-fairest award.

Mitchell, who turns 25 next week, has been a key part of Hawthorn's young midfield, which defied most expectations in pushing the club to sixth position this season.

Fellow midfielder Luke Hodge, who finished third at last night's count which was won by young midfielder Brad Sewell, has been appointed vice-captain. The club has opted not to appoint multiple captains, an approach taken by St Kilda, Sydney and the Brisbane Lions.

Mitchell thanked Vandenberg for his two years at the helm.

"The job that I've been given has been made much easier by Vanders and the amount of work he was able to do … in making us efficient and a group that almost runs itself," he said.

"I'm very privileged and proud to have the honour to try to continue our surge towards what is everyone in this room's goal, and that's a premiership."

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett said Mitchell reflected the club's values.

"Sam's not only a very good and important player, but he also has the values this club clearly has enunciated over the last few years."

Mitchell, who won last year's best and fairest and the 2003 Rising Star award, has long been considered a future leader for the club and was made joint vice-captain at the start of this season. He is the youngest stand-alone captain in the AFL, and missed just one match this year.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said the appointments were a sign of the maturity of his young squad.

"We took the decision several years ago to rebuild our football club, and Sam and Luke both represent the future of this proud club," he said.

"Sam will be an outstanding captain: he is a strong and mature leader of men. Luke leads by example and both are respected by their peers for their unwavering commitment to the team and the club."

Kennett lauded the duo for their work ethic.

"This augurs well for the quality and direction of the team for 2008. Both young men have strong leadership skills, have enormous drive and a prodigious talent for work," Kennett said.

Vandenberg retired from the game after an injury-riddled year in which he managed just eight games, to bring his total to 145 in 10 seasons.

Along with fellow veterans Ben Dixon and Joel Smith, Vandenberg was honoured for his contribution to the club at last night's dinner.

The trio of retirements means the Hawks list, already the youngest in the league, will become even younger, with only former captain Shane Crawford older than 28.

The club has also launched a new logo, the third in two decades, to revitalise the club's image.

"The new shield portrays a sense of determination, pride, and focus. The Hawthorn Football Club is a club on the move," said designer Ken Cato from Cato Purnell Partners.