Sydney Swans speedster Oliver Florent says a newfound inner belief is powering him on the road to Round 1 off the back of his breakthrough 2018 season.

The 20-year-old last year laced up the boots for all 23 Swans games, fired in his transition from the forward line to the midfield, claimed an AFL Rising Star nomination and took out Sydney’s Rising Star honour.

The former first-round Draft pick is now in the thick of his third pre-season as an AFL footballer, and he says his 2018 campaign is fuelling his self-belief as the countdown to the Swans’ season-opening showdown with the Western Bulldogs continues.

“The 2018 season, capped off with the Rising Star award, has given me a lot of confidence,” Florent told SwansTV.

“Being recognised helps me get out on the track and play my own game, and the players and coaching group also give me a lot of confidence to do what I do best.”

Florent is one of a host of Swans who in recent times has added depth to the midfield contingent, with Tom Papley, Zak Jones, George Hewett and a number of other young Swans all taking on greater responsibility.

The emerging generation of midfielders is shown the way by experienced duo Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker, who in December were appointed as 2019 co-captains alongside defender Dane Rampe. 

Florent’s lightning-quick pace made him a damaging force on a wing in 2018, but the Victorian says he’s honing his ability on the inside of the contest in preparation for the new season.

“It’s been a big focus for me to work on my inside game and also the balance between the inside and outside,” Florent said.

“I’ve been working closely with Josh Kennedy and Luke Parker, who are both unbelievable midfielders in the competition, and working with them is definitely benefiting me.

“I want to stay healthy, get on top of my running, work on my inside game and tick off all the basics.”

Florent’s searing pace has often tested his teammates throughout the pre-season slog, but there’s a number of Swans who are never far from his heels.

Young forwards Papley and Will Hayward and new Swan Zac Foot, who signed with Sydney via its fourth-round selection at November’s AFL Draft, are just some of the troops with hot wheels.

Florent was full of praise for the rising trio.

“They’re all super-exciting players,” Florent said.

“Tom and Will have been in the system for a few years and have shown massive improvement.

“Zac Foot is also going to be a very good player and it’s going to be very exciting to see what he can produce this year.”