COLLINGWOOD has improved one of its biggest weaknesses – kicking efficiency – as it seeks to better its 11th-placed finish in 2014, according to new recruit Travis Varcoe.

The Magpies ranked last in the AFL in this crucial statistic last season, hitting the target just 62.6 per cent of the time, well below the AFL average of 65.3 per cent.

After completing a gruelling two-and-a-half-hour session in warm, sunny conditions in front of a good crowd at Olympic Park on Friday, Varcoe was confident his new club would be a more efficient proposition by foot in 2015.

He also said the club's new skill acquisition coach, biomechanical expert Jamie Cassidy-McNamara, is already having an impact.

"It's just practice. We've got to put the work in… Out on the track here it's increased significantly just from the (statistics) that we're pulling from training," Varcoe said 

"We record a lot of our data and get those statistics on the board so we can hold ourselves accountable to what we're trying to achieve. 

Varcoe's own kicking has come under fire in recent times. Though a classy player perceived to be a precise kick, the dual premiership player was last year rated by Champion Data as a below-average kick. However, such things don't enter his mind.

"I don't look at that sort of stuff. Once the coach is getting in my ear I'll probably have a look at it," he said.

A product of one of the most successful dynasties in history, the dual Geelong premiership player revealed Pies coach Nathan Buckley had canvassed his opinions at times.

"I've had a bit of input. 'Bucks' sort of bounces some ideas off me with the leadership group, which has been good for me. Not everything's going to work but I can chuck up ideas and not be afraid of that, and they take it on board," he said.

After completing a solid warm-up and numerous training drills, including several that focused on kicking, the Pies engaged in some match practice, playing four 10-minute quarters.

This was followed by a further 15 minutes of modified, 11-on-11 match practice.

There was a scare midway through the session when defenders Tom Langdon and Nathan Brown collided and took some time regaining their feet. Both players left the field in what was believed to be a precautionary measure.

Tom Langdon in the aftermath of his collision with Nathan Brown. Picture: AFL Media

In better news, former Kangaroo Levi Greenwood competed strongly after overcoming a foot complaint, while veterans Dane Swan and skipper Scott Pendlebury also moved freely, having recovered from post-season surgery.

Ben Reid, on the way back from another calf problem, ran laps and did some ballwork but wasn't involved in any contact work. It was much the same for Jesse White (ankle) and Alan Toovey (calf).

Varcoe has been most taken with the progress of young midfielder Taylor Adams.

"He's a young kid that's got a lot of enthusiasm, (he's) hard at it, he drags a lot of players with him and I find myself trying to keep up with him. He's one that's really impressed me," he said.

Meanwhile, youngster Nathan Freeman, whose first season at the club was ruined by hamstring injuries, continues to burn up the track.

"He's sort of been glossed over because he's so fit and strong, but he's one of those players, alongside Steele (Sidebottom, who are) pretty consistent, they're always putting in their work. He's probably going just as well as he was before Christmas, if not better," Varcoe said.

Nathan Freeman and Travis Varcoe hit full stride at Friday's training session. Picture: AFL Media