Pies lousy kicks in 2014 - Varcoe says improving

[Woods]

Pies on target to improve on 2014, says ex-Cat

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.

More at: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-01-23/deadeye-pies-on-track

[3.14159]

Thanks for the link.

[Mossi]

They must be dropping Cloke?!

[stui magpie]

Good article, cheers

Interesting to read his (complimentary) comments about Adams and Freeman.

[Joel]

That's nice, but one of the reviews the other day said our kicking still doesn't look flash. Hmmmmm.

[droversdog65]

Nothing happens overnight Joel, it will take time.

[BazBoy]

Interesting that Varcoe made comment that our kicking skills have improved
Wonder if he notes the improvement from when he was an opponent or
from day one with us

[Woods]

John Pierik from Fairfax media seems to have been present at the same interview with Varcoe and has a slightly different take on things.

Magpies to target ... themselves

If there is one thing Hawthorn's recent domination has reinforced, it's the importance of maintaining possession when under pressure. The Hawks have consistently sliced rivals through their ability to find a target.

Amid a wretched run with injury last season, Collingwood also suffered through their inability to win the ball and then use it well. Where they were fourth for disposal differential in 2013, last year they crashed to 17th, averaging 30 fewer disposals then their opponents.

When the Magpies did have the ball, their overall retention rate, per Champion Data, was ranked 16th at 70.6 per cent. Only the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast Suns were worse.

Through an already demanding pre-season, the Magpies have worked diligently on their ball use, and put this to good practice in Friday's intra-club scrimmage.

"We have to keep working at it. It's not just going to happen. We have to put the work in," recruit Travis Varcoe said.

More at: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/afl/afl-news/magpies-to-target--themselves-20150123-12wug9.html

[derkd]

what is the old saying...."proof of the pudding is in the eating?" i would prefer rather then players coming out and making "statements". We just work on it in silence and let the season stats be the guide.

[BazBoy]

Our kicking skills were according to AFL statistics 17th worst so that i would guess
in over entire season.
Well up to round 11 we had an 8 win to 3 loss ratio --must have been kicking skillfully
to get those 8 wins and be heading for a top 4 position as media suggested
It was about this time i think (or close) that Nick retired and our injury problems went
from a trickle to a flood.
Makes me feel that minimising injuries and club stability (like loosing a Maxwell) or
other destabilising incidents we can concentrate on the importance of kicking and
general skills
Go you good things

[BBHS]

We talking bout practice?

[think better]

Be interesting to see a player by player breakdown of this - I would assume that playing lots of kids would reduce kicking efficiency under pressure.

[BazBoy]

Would suspect the club would have a few stats personell to list individuals skill
so the strengths and weakness be worked on between match days.
And as said playing lots of kids would (or could) impact
With game time comes experience and confidence in themselves and teamates
Must give a little time --be worth it in the end

[Captain_MyCaptain]