Hawthorn veteran Brad Sewell announced his retirement from AFL football at the club’s best and fairest ceremony on Saturday.

The 30-year-old was dropped for the Hawks’ preliminary final against Port Adelaide and failed to force his way back into the squad for their grand final win over the Sydney Swans last week.

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Sewell, who brought up his 200th game in the first week of the finals, received a standing ovation from Hawthorn staff and supporters at the Peter Crimmins Medal ceremony at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

“As one door closes, another one opens, and what exactly that means for me I’m unsure of just yet,” Sewell said.

“I will take the time to work that out and I sincerely look forward to my next journey, safe in the knowledge that I have had the best possible grounding any man could ask for.

“I can’t actually articulate how thankful I am to all of you for your support.

“The memories and feelings you have left me with I shall one day share with my grandchildren with the utmost delight and reverence.”

He played just 10 senior matches during 2014 because of hamstring problems and was under pressure to keep his spot in the squad next year.

After being taken with pick seven in the 2003 rookie draft, the on-baller won two premiership and the club’s best and fairest medal in 2007 during an illustrious 10-year career.

Jordan Lewis, meanwhile, continued his best-ever season by taking out the Peter Crimmins Medal for Hawthorn’s best and fairest.

It was the 28-year-old’s first club champion award and came in the same year he secured his maiden All-Australian nod.