Although a standout junior footballer, Ablett chose not to play in the TAC Cup to avoid the media attention which accompanied the preceding careers of his father and brother.

Ablett made a short-lived return to the top flight when he joined brother Gary at the Gold Coast Suns in 2011, playing two games before being delisted at the conclusion of the season.

Ablett debuted midway through the 2005 AFL season after beginning his professional football career with the Geelong reserves team in the VFL.

By 2007, Ablett cemented his position in the senior squad at full-forward, including helping the Cats capture the 2007 AFL Premiership by booting three goals in the record-breaking Grand Final win.

Having been given until the start of 2008 to make a decision, Ablett decided on 7 January 2008 to walk away from AFL for at least one year, but he didn't rule out a possible return at some stage.