Cats TV asked Josh Hunt and journalist Scott Gullan if the loss of Dawson Simpson will have a significant impact on the Cats game leading into finals.

Before Simpson’s devastating knee injury on Friday night the 206cm ruckman had played five AFL games for the year with an average of 34 hit-outs per game.

His work in the ruck had been an enormous asset for the Cats and Hunt admitted that he would be a great loss to the side, as they head towards the last five games of the season in preparation for the finals.        

“He’s obviously been in great form and he’s been working his butt off and it’s a shame for Daws as well as the footy club,” Hunt said.

“He’s been playing great footy and after coming back from those two serious back operations it was a credit to him.

Hunt however reiterates that the Cats are not short of a ruckmen and the team have the stocks to recreate what they had with Simpson.

On Friday night Nathan Vardy, who was originally drafted as a ruckman, was moved from the forward line to take the reins in the ruck after Simpson’s fall.

Scott says Vardy has the height that Simpson has to reach the high grabs but the pressure might be too hard on his hip if he’s positioned there permanently. He believes Mark Blicavs and Trent West have the skills to effectively deliver a ruckmen's role.     

“It changes the dynamic because Dawson was so good at getting the ball,” Scott said.

“I mean Trent West and Mark Blicavs are a bit undersize and I think Vardy is obviously a talent but I don’t think you want Vardy doing 90% of ruck, physically his body hasn’t held up so you need to monitor that. Blicavs is under-man but has shown he is a very good player so I can see all three playing to be honest.”

Click on the video above to catch the complete episode of Argue the Toss on Cats TV.