In summation...
Ollie Florent sat in the lower level of the SCG stands in January and told SwansTV that a first-year debut would be a "dream come true" albeit unlikely.
He was coming off his first pre-season and although promising, the 19-year-old thought he still had some work to do before making the grade.
Less than two months later, Florent would be one three debutants to play Port Adelaide in Round 1.
The Sydney Swans saw plenty in the speedy midfield-forward by selecting him with Pick 11 (their first) in last year's draft and Florent, who'd experienced a difficult 12 months prior, repaid that faith by working extremely hard over the off-season and producing a strong JLT Series campaign.
Florent managed nine AFL games during the regular season and when playing at NEAFL level maintained a high level of consistency to keep pestering the Match Committee for a senior spot.
He'll be better for the journey and, with another strong pre-season under his belt, should push for regular appearances in the seniors throughout 2018 and beyond after signing a two-year contract extension in June.
What the numbers say..
AFL
Games: 9
Goals: 4
Kicks: 50
H’balls: 38
Marks: 15
Disposals: 88
Clearances: 9
Tackles: 19
Inside 50s: 17
Goal assists: 7
AFL Fantasy: 359 (39.9 average)
Supercoach: 403 (44.9 average)
NEAFL
Games: 11
Goals: 13
Kicks: 117
H'balls: 93
Marks:
Disposals: 229
Clearances: 34
Tackles: 36
Inside 50s: 39
Rebound 50s: 11
Best performance...
Round 2 v Western Bulldogs at Docklands?
Ollie Florent was a shining light in the 23-point loss to the Dogs. The first-round draft selection collected 13 disposals, laid two tackles and kicked a goal in what was only his second game. The goal came after the fleet-footed youngster chased down Dogs defender Jason Johannisen and calmly slotted the set-shot from the angle.
What they said...
"Oliver has settled in well – he’s a Melbourne boy – so to have your first-round draft pick commit beyond his mandated two-year contract is great."
- Head of Football Tom Harley after Florent's re-signing in June.
In pictures...
Florent will never forget his first game.
Or his first chase, tackle, free-for and goal!
Or his first win!
