Geelong and Ablett's management have been contacted for comment. His manager Liam Pickering said on SEN on Saturday afternoon: “I haven’t spoken with him yet but I know he boarded a plane this morning and will obviously miss the next two games.”

Pickering said Ablett would possibly re-join his teammates in Queensland. “He’ll want to play again,” he said.

Ablett joined the Cats on the road a fortnight ago aware that he could fly home to Victoria at any time to join his family.

The Cats also made it clear he had their unqualified support with whatever decision he made and Cats coach Chris Scott said the only role the club played in the personal situation was to help him wherever and whenever they could.

"We consider our role as one of support for whatever he needs," Scott said.

Ablett played his 350th game against the Gold Coast in round five and has been a valuable player again in 2020 with his hands still among the cleanest in the competition and his decision making elite.

Geelong will play Fremantle and West Coast in Perth in the next two weeks before travelling to the Gold Coast for the remainder of the season.

Ablett would have the option of rejoining his team alongside his family in Queensland if they served a 14-day quarantine period in Queensland.

MORE TO COME