Sydney young gun Oliver Florent wants “to be a sponge around the older players” as he continues to find his feet in the midfield.
The 20-year-old has blossomed in his transition from the forward line to the midfield this season, soaking up every word of advice from captain Josh Kennedy and company to put himself in contention for the 2018 AFL Rising Star Award.
Florent, lively Sydney forward Ben Ronke and 21 other youngsters will be in the running for the prestigious gong at an awards ceremony in Melbourne on Friday afternoon.
Florent paid tribute to his older teammates.
“I’ve really enjoyed the move to the midfield,” Florent told SwansTV.
“Working with Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery and other players like that is something that helps my game. To be a sponge around the older players is definitely going to help me in the future.
“I have enjoyed the help of the older players and the senior group and the coaching staff have shown the confidence in me to go out and play my natural game this season.”
Hannebery is Florent’s mentor, a 207-game veteran set for a ninth-straight finals series.
The 27-year-old has played 20 finals matches and was a key member of the Swans’ 2012 Premiership side.
Florent signed with Sydney at the 2016 National Draft, played nine matches in his first season in Swans colours last year, hasn’t missed a game in 2018 and is on the verge of making his first finals appearance.=
The Victorian said Hannebery had straightforward tips for him ahead of next Saturday’s elimination final against GWS.
“Keeping it simple is the main piece of advice and not going away from what you know,” Florent said.
“It’s just like another game because you’ve got to be playing four quarters and doing everything spot on, which is going to go a long way to winning.”
Florent earned a Rising Star nomination after starring in Sydney’s Round 11 win over Carlton at the SCG.
The second-year Swan gathered 20 possessions and was outstanding in his ball movement by hand and foot, operating at 85 per cent efficiency as Sydney pencilled in a 30-point victory.
Ronke collected the Round 8 Rising Star nomination after booting seven goals under Friday night lights at the MCG.
The 20-year-old became just the second Swan to kick seven goals in a game under coach John Longmire’s reign, placing himself in the elite company of star forward Lance Frankin.
Regardless of whether Florent becomes the AFL’s new Rising Star, he says he will look back on a successful 2018.
“Just improving from last year is a tick for me,” Florent said.
“I want to get better every week and play consistent football from game to game.”
