The departures of several star Bombers marked "one of the saddest days I've ever been involved with", according club legend Matthew Lloyd.

Forward Joe Daniher and half-back Adam Saad have both told the club they want to play elsewhere in 2021 in a major blow for the Bombers.

Lloyd believes the players' position and outlook on the club's current culture is about as low as it could be.

“Rock bottom is the supplements scandal, but in terms of pure football (it’s nearly rock bottom),” he said on Footy Classified. 

“Don’t give me ‘it’s just about getting around Ben Rutten’s game plan’. This is purely a culture issue of players not being happy, content, not being sure of the direction of the club, not sure if they’re going to get any success there.

“For such a proud, proud club, this is one of the saddest days I’ve ever been involved with.”

Head of football Dan Richardson appeared on radio and was asked about the blame being on the players or if it was the culture at the club.

“I think the club has their heads in the sand if they want to shove this back on the players,” he said.

“If they want to go down this track and believe the players don’t want to play the role Ben asked them to, there’ll be a player by the name of Zach Merrett who in 12 months time will say I’m not that content either.”

“I think Saad has been extremely committed to that football club but hasn’t been content.”

Lloyd commented about how Conor McKenna’s decision to leave the club has magnified since Daniher and Saad announced their departures.

“I throw Conor McKenna into this, he left the club because he was unhappy in the environment... it was probably just brushed off that he’s an Irishman and was unhappy (in Victoria).”

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The Bombers will likely be left with a strong draft hand this year as they plan to play hardball in giving up their star duo.

Lloyd warned if the Bombers don’t address the elephant in the room, the talent will eventually go elsewhere.

“I know everyone’s trying to sell it,” he said, “but it doesn’t matter who comes in - if you cannot get the environment right, they’ll fall by the wayside.”

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