WHEN asked to reflect on his journey to 200 games, Ollie Florent’s mind goes straight to one person who helped pave his way.

“I’ll start with my old man.”

It was just a few months when an 18-year-old Ollie was selected by Sydney in the first round of the 2016 AFL Draft that his much-loved dad, Andrew - a former Australian tennis player who made three Grand Slam doubles quarter-finals - passed away.

On the eve of his double century, now back in Melbourne surrounded by family, Ollie speaks about how he’ll be carrying Andrew’s legacy out there with him when he runs out onto the MCG on Saturday night.

“My old man passed away two months before I got drafted. It was definitely a really hard time for me and my family: to be 10 years down the track now… I know he’s looking down on me very proud.”

It’s no surprise that Florent’s ‘why’ comes back to not only his family, but all of those who have made him the player and person that he is in 2026. He doesn’t want to individualise - there’s too many to name.

But what’s clear is he’ll have quite the support network in his corner at the MCG, reaching the 200 mark in incredibly quick time after being as consistent as they come for initially Sydney across nine seasons and now at Carlton.

“I know so many people have invested so many hours into me over my career, and to let that go to waste would be a shame. I try to enjoy every moment as it comes: it’s for myself and the people who have believed in me over the journey,” Florent said.

“I had so many role models around me, countless amounts that have helped me become the man that I am today. I can’t neglect that.

“I’ve been told a few times that [200 games] is a pretty cool experience and something I want to enjoy for the week, and not dismiss it. It’s been a really fun journey, and I’ve tried to take every moment as it comes.”

The first 184 games of Florent’s 199 to date came in the red and white of Sydney, debuting at the earliest possible opportunity after being drafted - Round 1 of the 2017 season.

Fast forward to Round 17, 2026, Florent finds himself in new colours, with all new teammates (with the exception of three, we’ll get to that) and a brand new challenge. Florent’s hunger has fuelled his form in 2026, demonstrating his trademark consistency in Navy Blue which was the cornerstone of playing 130 consecutive games with the Swans from 2019 to 2025.

Just as importantly, he’s done that not only with a smile on his own face, but bringing one to the faces of basically everyone else he’s come across.

“I was very raw coming in as an 18-year-old kid, I guess that’s all part of the journey. You think you’ve got it all sorted out… I definitely got a few reminders over my time around what’s acceptable and what’s not to become a professional athlete, but I think that’s all part of it.

“I wouldn’t change anything.

“It’s been a really refreshing start here at Carlton, I’m loving it here. The new challenge of having a new club, new friends, getting to know people and how they work and train… although we’ve had some ups and downs, I’ve tried to lean into every moment.”

So, what about those three teammates who Florent met in 2016?

Florent was recruited to the Swans in the same draft as Will Hayward, and the two became best mates almost instantly. When Florent ran out for his first game in Round 1, 2017, George Hewett lined up alongside him, and when he kicked his first goal the next week, Nic Newman (in game No.1 himself) was the first one over to him.

There’s something comforting for Florent that three individuals who were there right at the very start will be joining him for Saturday night’s milestone night.

“I’m so pumped about that. To run out with them now each and every week, I try not to take for granted how good people they are and the way they lead their football club. They’re such inspirational leaders and it’s so exciting to pull on the Navy Blue with them.”

He said that just before he was informed that they had plenty of things to say about the milestone man in the lead-up to Saturday night.

“They might think I’m in my own world, but I just choose not to listen to them. I just don’t like buying into their ****.

“They would’ve had a bit to say, I reckon.”

We’ll get to that…