MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Patrick Dangerfield of the Cats kicks the ball during the 2017 AFL round 17 match between the Geelong Cats and the Hawthorn Hawks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 15, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury says the return of Gary Ablett to Geelong could change the way star midfielder Patrick Dangerfield is used by the Cats.

Dangerfield, who was used up forward to great effect at times this season, kicked four goals in the first half to help set up the Cats' semi-final win over Sydney last month.

He also booted 6.5 against Hawthorn after playing the majority of the match inside 50 following an ankle injury in the first quarter late in the season.

Pendlebury says Ablett's arrival could result in even more forward time for Dangerfield.

"(With) Ablett next year, is it Dangerfield forward and Ablett midfield?" Pendlebury asked on the Jock and Journo Podcast.

“He (Ablett) is so clean around the stoppage, such a good ball user, such a good kick … imagine Ablett kicking it to Dangerfield.”

Pendles even suggested Dangerfield could kick 100 goals if he played as a permanent forward.

“He is unstoppable forward," he said.

“You can read it (ball in the air) as quick as him, but he just gets there quicker than you because he is so fast and he is so strong and so athletic.

“He could legitimately kick 80-100 goals as a forward, if he could play forward."

Dangerfield kicked 45 goals this season and averaged 29.9 disposals.