HAWTHORN recruit Tom Mitchell has quickly earnt the respect of his new teammates with his ferocious attack on the ball.

"Tom Mitchell is probably the most competitive person I've seen at every stoppage drill," former Hawks captain Luke Hodge told radio station RSN927 on Wednesday morning.

"He's teaching blokes what to do, getting his hands on the ball straight up, that's a great start.

"As far as we're going to go as a team, we're training really well, but you don't really know until games come around."

The former Swan is one of several new faces at the Hawks.

Another is forward Ty Vickery, who the Hawks hope can play a similar role to what David Hale did when he came across from North Melbourne.

"He's going to be key to our forward line, but don't be surprised if he has a bit of a pinch-hit in the ruck," Hodge said.

"Forwards these days need to have some versatility."

Hodge conceded there was a bit of a "flat spot" when Sam Mitchell (West Coast), Jordan Lewis (Melbourne) and Bradley Hill (Fremantle) all left the club.

"I've played with Mitch for 15 (years), Lewy for 12 and Hilly for the last five or six," Hodge said.

"In saying that, we've got a lot of guys – Isaac Smith, Liam Shiels, Luke Bruest – that have been waiting to stand up.

"There's so much room for these blokes to grow as players, but also as leaders. It's a great opportunity for them and the footy club."

Hodge also decided to relinquish the captaincy, allowing key forward Jarryd Roughead to take on the top job.

Roughead is set to get back on the park after beating his battle with cancer.

"I've had a great time as captain of the footy club, but you get to a stage where I knew it was coming towards the end," Hodge said.

"We've got so many blokes who are more than capable of doing the job that if I kept doing it, they would miss their chance.

"All the boys were rapt when they heard how Roughy's medical condition was all clear and for him to be captain topped it off."

Hodge said he wasn't sure if Roughead would be ready to play in round one.

"As far as the training, he's doing everything they (the medical and coaching staff) are asking of him," Hodge said.

"He's out there with the boys first on the track and he's coming off last.

"When it comes down to game intensity, you'll have to ask the medicos that question."