All-Australian defender Nick Smith has tapped into his own expertise to help give Ollie Florent a leg up ahead of his first AFL season.

Smith has worked closely with the Sydney Swans’ first-round draftee this pre-season, drawing on his own experiences playing on the best small forwards in the competition to ease Florent’s mind in what’s been a whirlwind summer learning the teachings of forward coach Brett Kirk.

Confiding in a defender may not be what most young forwards think of in their initial months especially with the game’s leading goal-kicker, Lance Franklin, at your disposal.

But, then again, Smith’s glowing record against the league’s best smalls is hard to ignore.

“A few guys have been helping me out (but) Nick Smith has been unreal for me,” Florent said.

“He’s played on all the best smalls in the game so he’s been telling what they do and what I can do in certain situations.”

Of course, it’d be hard not to gravitate towards a three-time Coleman Medallist.

“Obviously ‘Buddy’ has been unreal as a forward, helping me out with a few tips so that’s been great,” Florent added.

Florent has found the pre-season challenging – “probably the hardest running I’ve ever done in my life” – but feels he’s creating a strong foundation in preparation for the season ahead.

“I can run for a long period but with stopping and starting during training and then getting back into it after each drill…it’s tough but hopefully my body is getting used to it now,” he said.

“It doesn’t feel like it, but I know it will help me throughout the season and help my running capacity even more which will only be beneficial for my own game.

And, on his hopes for this year, Florent isn’t setting any unrealistic goals. His focus is going in to ensuring he gets every ounce out of his 183cm and 79kg frame.

“For me, just to play a consistent brand of football, no matter what level that’s at – AFL or NEAFL. I just want to be happy with how I’m going and hold my head high every match knowing I’ve left everything out on the park.”