Although certain to make the team, it's understood that Ablett decided against attending because he wants to keep a low profile.
"I think he would have liked to have been there," Ablett's manager Michael Baker said. "But he would like me to pass on his congratulations to everyone who makes the team and he hopes everyone has a great night."
The club responded to the news with a three-line media release, quoting chief executive Brian Cook.
"It's a shame but the show goes on," he said.
Earlier this month, current captain Ben Graham publicly pleaded for Ablett to attend Friday's dinner.
