AFL mentors spark young Swan Florent

Exciting youngster Oliver Florent says being guided by Sydney's more experienced players has helped him take significant strides this season.

Oliver Florent of the Swans.

Oliver Florent (right) has played in every game for the Swans in his second season. (AAP)

Emerging Sydney midfielder Oliver Florent has credited the influence of his senior colleagues for his strong second-season form, as he prepares for his first crack at the AFL finals.

Florent, who only turned 20 last month, has been one of the good news stories of the Swans' 2018 campaign.

The young Victorian has added speed and skill to a Sydney midfield which has relied heavily on the inside grunt of on-ball warriors Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker.

Taken with the No.11 pick of the 2016 national draft, Florent has made significant strides in his sophomore season.

After nine appearances in his first year in 2017, he has played in every game this season.

He's more than doubled his disposal average from just under 10 touches per game to just on 21 in 2018.

'It's awesome to play every game, I've been mentored by some of the best players in the competition," Florent told AAP.

"It's great to have Kieren Jack and Josh Kennedy, a few of the older blokes helping me out there, and play my own game."

He didn't play in the Swans 2017 finals campaign as he was sent back to the NEAFL for the latter part of the season.

Florent is excited at the prospect of getting his first taste of September action in an elimination final derby against GWS, a side he has yet to lose to at senior level.

He's part of a exciting group of emerging Swans, seven of them aged 22 or younger, who played last week against Hawthorn.

"It's really positive to see younger players stepping up in big games," Florent said.

Sydney are set to regain two of their biggest stars for the elimination final.

Parker and forward Lance Franklin are both expected to play against GWS after each missed the final round game with groin issues.

In more good news for Sydney, midfielder Dan Hannebery should also be available for the derby, after he sat out the latter stages of last week's loss, following a cork he got from a heavy third-quarter collision with Hawthorn ruckman Ben McEvoy.


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Source: AAP



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