Those are the two big signings that will help the Mudgee Dragons go one better in 2020 after the red and whites lost a crushing and controversial grand final to the Bathurst Panthers at the end of last year.

The pairing have joined the red and whites for the upcoming season and will bring a wealth of top flight experience to the club, as well as fill the void left by several first graders who departed in the off-season

Harry Siejka, a Bathurst-born half, played four games with the Penrith Panthers throughout 2011 and 2012 before spending time at three professional sides in England from 2014-2015.

Clay Priest's NRL credentials run slightly deeper as the big man played 31 games with the Canberra Raiders in 2016-17 before wrapping up his professional career with an eight-game stint for the Bulldogs in 2018.

While their friendship doesn't appear to be linked to the pair signing for the same Group 10 club, Siejka and Priest have a history together which makes the former Bathurst Panthers junior excited to re-link with him at Mudgee.

"I roomed with Priesty out West, Siejka said.

"We played together at Mounties and he's a freak of an athlete and really fit as well."

Siejka spent 2019 working in the mines at Sydney and even though he had his sights set on a return to Bathurst this season, he was able to pick up a similar job near Mudgee and also link up with Jack Littlejohn, someone he's got a lot of respect for.

"Bathurst wouldn't have really suited with work and Mudgee's a wonderful town," Siejka said.

"When I was talking to Spaz [Sebastian Flack] last year about coming out, I knew Jack was at the club and that was definitely a huge bonus for me.

"He did a really good job coaching last year and took a team that didn't do too well in 2018 to making a grand final in 2019.

"He's got a heap of skill and obviously knows how to get the best out of his players."

The former Bradford Bull made his unofficial return to the paddock during the Bathurst Knockout and even though he felt a bit out-of-sorts, he's confident he'll return to his best once he gets some more playing time under his belt.

"I've only had two or three training sessions with the boys so I was definitely a bit rusty," he said.

"I didn't feel out of place at all... I just need to get out there and get my timing back."

At this stage, the start of the Group 10 season is being held off until at least May 1 and Siejka - like the rest of us - hopes the competition will return as soon as possible.