Sydney young gun Oliver Florent wants to play as an inside midfielder for the Swans in 2019

Sydney young gun Oliver Florent has made a name for himself as an exciting half forward but the rising star has bigger ambitions — he wants to play alongside Josh Kennedy as an inside midfielder and take on a mentoring role.

Oliver Florent is one of Sydney’s best young players. Picture: Michael Klein

The fresh face of Sydney’s thriving youth policy Oliver Florent has declared his interest in a new midfield role this season.

Florent has been working overtime on trying to join Josh Kennedy in the inside midfield in 2019 on the back of his breakout year where he scooped the Swans’ rising star award.

The 20-year-old is now into his third season in the AFL and has focused his energy on developing his skills inside the contest in a bid to take his flourishing game to the next level.

Florent has warned AFL rivals that the Swans’ army of young guns (70 per cent of the playing list is under 24) are ready to take charge.

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“There’s a big responsibility for the younger guys now and it’s good that we’ve got a big crop coming through and we can all go through it together which is nice,” he said.

“It’s exciting to know that the club and your teammates have trust in you to go out and play a role and it’s exciting for myself to take on the responsibility of what the players trust me to do.

Oliver Florent is one of Sydney’s best young players. Picture: Michael Klein

“(That faith) is going to hold me in good stead for hopefully a long time.”

Florent was one of the AFL’s true success stories last season as he led from the front at the Swans.

But he is refusing to stay stagnant.

“I’d love to play more inside. I’ve been doing a bit more work inside in the contest, and I think that’s something I can definitely get better at over time and it’s a pretty hard to master,” said Florent.

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“I think everyone is still learning but that’s something I would love to improve on this year and bring into my game. It would be another position I can play which would be nice.

“I had a lot of game time in the midfield in the practice match last week (and hopefully more on Saturday night against GWS at Blacktown).”

Florent is so young he’s still got another year left in the Sydney Swans’ housing program, where rookie players from out of town live together under the one roof.

Florent has been working hard at improving his game over the summer. Picture: Phil Hillyard

But despite his age, Florent says he is keen for a mentoring role with draftees like Nick Blakey, Justin McInerny and housemate Zac Foot, in an initiative which embodies the attitude and mindset of the Swans.

“Definitely. I think coming in with no expectations is pretty important. Anything can happen,” he said.

“To be honest I wasn’t sure whether I’d play in my first year or anything like that but an opportunity came and it’s just whether you can take it or not.

“I was in and out of the team first year but last year I’d like to say I took my opportunity and it’s important for our young guys to understand they’re here for a reason.

“They’re good enough to play football.

“It’s just instilling that into them is very important for their growth.

“I just know for the players that it’s pretty tough to get a game and if you get a game you’ve earned it.”

Originally published as Sydney young gun Oliver Florent wants to play as an inside midfielder for the Swans in 2019