It's hardly been a secret that the Cats had planned for Ablett to return this weekend, but it was confirmed on Wednesday afternoon by coach Mark Thompson.
Forward Chapman, who missed last weekend’s match against North Melbourne with a tight back, is also expected to play according to Thompson.
"Ablett and Chapman will more than likely play, (Darren) Milburn is going to miss and Shannon Byrnes will miss as well," he said at Skilled Stadium.
"Gary's 100 per cent right and Chappy will have to run at close to full strength and full speed tomorrow to get through.
"We're confident that will happen – he did the whole skills session last night."
Key forward Cameron Mooney will miss the match after being suspended for striking former VFL Cat Scott Thompson in last week’s win over the Roos.
Mooney has worked hard to reform his on-field ways after being somewhat of a serial offender in previous seasons, and the coach said the recent transgression was a disappointment for this reason.
"[Cameron] let the club down, let himself down, let the players down – he knows that, you don't have to say too much to him," Thompson said.
"He's been a much improved person in that are for two-and-a-half years, and this was a little lapse.
"I think he was just sick of being harassed on the day, the continual harassment from someone he doesn't like much."
With the Doggies having a small, quick forward structure, Thompson said tall utility Tom Lonergan, who has been playing in the backline, could be released forward to cover the loss of Mooney.
"We can put Lonergan down there, maybe promote (Ryan) Gamble," Thompson said.
"They're completely at the other end of the scale to North Melbourne's forward line, with their tall timber, but most of our guys can play on talls and smalls."
