THE PEOPLE’S person, the energiser, the milestone man.

When Ollie Florent runs out on Saturday night for his 200th game, the former Swan will have three teammates alongside him who were there from the start.

Florent and Will Hayward reunited with George Hewett and Nic Newman over last year’s off-season, which was a full-circle moment for this week’s 200-gamer.

Speaking to Carlton Media during the week, the three of Florent’s teammates spoke on the decade-long friendship they’ve formed with the double centurion.

Hayward: He’s off with the fairies a little bit, old ‘Woz’. My first impressions quickly turned into a pretty close friendship that I’ve been very lucky to spend the last 10 years with. We did photos together on draft night, and the next morning after the draft we had a photoshoot. He missed the bus because he slept in: 20 of us couldn’t leave because someone was banging on Ollie’s door to wake him up. Ben Ainsworth is one of those who can back me up on that. He also used to turn his Watt bike off and pretend it broke when his distance wasn’t looking too good. Safe to say, he’s come a long way.

Hewett: To be honest, with both him and Will, they haven’t changed one bit - and that’s a very good thing. In terms of how they handle themselves, they were always very smiley and always wanted to get better. It’s a testament to him, he hasn’t changed as a person since he first walked through the door, which I think his mum would be very proud of.

Newman: First impressions, he lives in his own world. I’d argue he somewhat still does and can be a bit aloof at times, but he’s an infectious person to be around. He’s always positive and you can’t help but smile when you’re around him: he was like that back then, and is still very much the same now. He’s definitely grown up, but some things stay the same. It’s funny having him and Will now, reuniting with them as older players and as leaders, you’re going ‘Geez, they’ve had some growth’.

Hayward: We were a bit apprehensive about reuniting with ‘Newy’, because he was a bit of a prick in Sydney. George was always the best, we love George and always have. ‘Newy’ has been the surprise packet, he’s turned into a half-decent bloke. Just kidding, it’s been a nice little reunion to get the boys together: they’re guys I love playing footy with.

Newman: Footy is a small world and it’s funny how this stuff comes back around. He’s chalked up his games much quicker than I have, put it that way. He’s 28 and playing his 200th, but it’s very cool that we started in our first couple of games together to now be playing in significant milestones with him. I was so excited when Ollie and Will came to the Club: I was so excited to have them in the locker room every day, because I knew the type of energy they’d bring and the people they are.

Hewett: He’s gotten there quickly, which he deserves. Everyone knows him as a very good person around the Club with his energy: he’s always smiling and makes you feel good about yourself. For him to get there that quickly, it’s mentally very tough. He should be very proud of himself.

Hayward: He’s such a people’s person. He makes everyone feel comfortable, and people are drawn to him because he’s such a fun, loyal and compassionate person. He’s someone I’m very happy to know and very grateful for our friendship. Yeah, I love him.

Newman: He’s a really caring person, it’s a fantastic trait. And then the energy, fun and laughter he brings - he doesn’t take things too seriously, he doesn’t take himself seriously. What people love about him is he’s just himself, no matter what. As footballers and particularly as backs, we’re pretty serious operators, so he can lighten the mood, including in a pretty tough period to start the year.

Hewett: When results weren’t going our way, Ollie was still very steadfast in his belief of what this group could do. He was always very confident, and would continuously talk up to the players and in meetings that we were doing the right things and it wasn’t far off. You need people like that to have that strong belief, and when it does turn, they look like geniuses. He’s just like ‘Crippa’, he’s forever an optimist which is cool to have around.

Hayward: We pretty much played every game in the last 10 years together, and we’ve been incredibly lucky to share that experience together and go through the highs and lows of footy. Not many people can say they’ve played their whole career with their best mate. To move over to Carlton together was the cherry on top: we’re loving our new club and new teammates.

Hewett: He makes everyone feel comfortable - from the youngest person to the oldest person - and he’s always been like that. He has really good empathy with lots of people. With his football, he’s played with that flair ever since he got drafted, but he’s also one of the best one-on-one half-backs and can intercept the ball. He’s done it really well, and hopefully he’s got at least 100 more.

Newman: I wouldn’t know what he does half the time and I don’t think he knows what he does half the time. You found that out on Thursday, forgetting that he had to do an interview about himself for his own 200th. But he always sees the fun in things and brings joy to the day-to-day: he’s a guy you just love playing with.

Hayward: When we got traded together, we were saying overseas that we’re on the same amount of games and if everything goes well, we’re going to play our 200th together and that’ll be so special. I am very angry at myself for that suspension, I couldn’t get a kick in a street fight in that game - it cost us a shared 200th. That’s alright, I’ll share my milestone with ‘Walshy’ now.