New Geelong coach Chris Scott has been given a sound endorsement by Chris Tarrant - one of the stars he helped guide at Fremantle.

Tarrant, now back with AFL premiers Collingwood, said the former Docker assistant was an excellent choice as a replacement for Mark Thompson.

"He's very highly educated in his football knowledge and I think he's a great fit for Geelong," Tarrant said on Wednesday.

"He's one of those guys that you will go out and play for.

"Chris Scott played a major role in my last two years (at Fremantle)."

Tarrant, meanwhile, has made an early start to his 2011 pre-season in a bid to be in peak form for the start of the year.

He returns to the Magpies after four years at Fremantle but spent the last six games on the sidelines with a medial ligament strain.

He says he is now fully recovered and has been working with renowned Collingwood fitness expert David Buttifant.

Tarrant said he felt a little nervous ahead of his return to playing but was looking forward to getting to know the new group of players.

"It's been a big change since I've been here at the football club - there's a lot of guys who've moved on and there's a handful of guys that I'm really close with still there," he said.

"I'm looking forward to getting back and training with these guys and pushing these guys further next year.

"I know it's going to be a tough one for me, breaking into the best 22 in the league, but I'm pretty confident I can hopefully wear it again."

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