Half-back/midfielder Tom Bennett joins the Dragons from Goulburn Valley club Benalla and former Bendigo Pioneers and Wedderburn full-forward Will Holt has signed with the club.

Bennett and Holt help fill the holes left by departing duo Codie Price (Heathcote) and Daniel Connors (Colbinabbin).

Bennett, a multiple inter-league representative with the GVFL and member of Benalla’s 2015 premiership team, arrvies at the Dragons with big wraps.

"Tom can play half-back or through the midfield and he's a good mate of (Sandhurst best and fairest winner) Jake Pallpratt,'' new Sandhurst coach Ashley Connick said.

"He'll add a fair bit to us. He has leg speed, uses the ball well and wins the ball on the inside and outside.

"We've been really selective in our recruiting.

"We’re unsure if Tim Martin will return so we targeted (former Calivil United ruckman) Chris Down and with Codie (Price) on his way to Heathcote it's good to have someone of Tom's quality coming in and fill that role."

Related: Holt brothers on road to recovery

Holt kicked 10 goals in five games for the Pioneers in the TAC Cup in 2018 before suffering a season-ending broken leg.

“Will is a really talented kid,’’ Connick said.

“He has the body of a man already, he’s just had a couple of bad years with injuries.

“Hopefully, he has a run of good luck with his body and I think he’ll be a really solid player for us.

“It helps to have a genuine big target in the forward line.”

Connick also confirmed that premiership midfielder Nick Stagg would stay with the Dragons after rejecting lucrative offers from district clubs.

“We’re pretty confident that most of this year’s senior team will stay with the club,’’ Connick said.