A think some people around here need to take a breath and stop sensationalizing things.
Apparently Lids and Cotch are leaving and we need to rebuild or the earth will explode or something like that...I'm probably missed some of the finer points with that summary.
Take a step back and review our situation unemotively -
1 We have moved from the bottom of the ladder last season with 3 and a half wins to still being in contention for the finals and winning 8 and a half games with three still to play. This year we actually still had a chance at this stage of the season where over the last 7 years previously I had already turned my attention to the draft camps
Progress2 We have more depth to our list with players such as Rance, Putt, Connors, Meyer, Cogs, Collard and Collins not even playing this year because spots are hard to get. In previous years players such as Tiv and Petts had to be played and our young draftees had to be rushed in. Now we actually have the luxury of giving them time and space to develop and choosing players on form.
Progress3 Our backline and forwardline structures are young developing teams instead of being reliant upon players such as Bowden and Richo. We look stronger and less predictable (Richo back at FF last game showed why he needs to now play up the ground - injury?)
I think your mail on Lids is wrong. I know someone who works directly with the players day in day out and they tell me the playing group are happy, unified and keen to stick together to achieve future success.
Stripes