Former skipper and powerful forward Brenton Horwood and blockbusting outside back Matt Allwood have both signed one year contracts.

And, in further good news, young Lakes United centre Carl Randall has also put pen to paper.

It comes on the back of last month's announcement that talented Cessnock hooker Nick Lawrence had joined, while five-eighth Chad O'Donnell had signed a new three-year deal.

"They're all good signings," coach Matt Lantry said.

"Brenton will add some depth to our forward pack and has premiership experience, Matt has played NRL with Canberra and the Warriors, and the other guys are both 21 years old and clearly players of the future."

Horwood and Allwood are both vastly experienced players and, at 28, in the peaks of their careers.

"To win competitions you need depth and competition for places," Lantry said.

"I'll be keen to see how Brenton goes with such a strong pack around him. He wouldn't have had that type of quality around him for a while I wouldn't think.

"And last year before Matt dropped out for the season after COVID, I was planning to use him in the back row. I've spoken to him about that and he's still keen to give it a go.

"His first-up contact in defence is as good as anybody's ... he hits really hard. Playing in the forwards won't worry him."

Randall has played 30-odd first grade games for Lakes, and is a nuggety, chunky type of player.

"He was looking for a change and a few of my players suggested he'd be a good signing, so he's here. With Gary Anderson leaving, he is going to be a very handy acquisition."

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