Jason and Mark Johnson would stand front and centre in the memories of many Essendon fans lucky enough to witness the brilliant Bombers at the turn of the millennium.

When one of the Johnsons is mentioned you can assure the other will follow, and the pair have once again reunited to be honoured as this week’s Bomber Legends.

No, they’re not brothers, but the common mistake has always been welcomed with open arms by the duo in good humour and friendship.

While Jason had to gradually work his way into the side after playing just 15 games in his first three seasons with the Bombers, Mark made an immediate impact as a more mature rookie, tallying 15 games in just his first season.

But it was in 2000 where both men made their mark, playing 25 and 24 games respectively as the side romped away with a dominant premiership in one of the league’s most complete year-long performances in its history.

Off the back of a heartbreaking preliminary final loss in 1999, Mark said the squad’s older brigade drove the high standards that would see a breakthrough success the following season.

“I was new at that stage and it did burn, you don’t like losing any time. I think it was more for the older guys and knowing what I know now, it doesn’t come along very easy,” Mark Johnson said.

“The guys like Joe Misiti and Mark Mercuri, who know how important that was at that stage, they were burning and they passed that on to us.

“The club as whole from the top down…everyone was on the same wavelength and that’s pretty much why we were successful.”

The Johnsons would go on to collect three of the next five Crichton Medals at the peak of their powers – Jason in 2002 and 2005, and Mark in 2002 – with Jason also collecting an All Australian nod in 2001.

Between them they played 392 AFL games (14 of those at Fremantle for Mark) and after collecting a premiership medal and playing a role in one of the club’s greatest teams, Jason continues to look back fondly on their time in football.

“It’s something that no one can take away from me. It’s something that I’m very proud of,” Jason Johnson said.

Inevitably mistaken as brothers, Jason said it is something he and Mark have cherished that often still rears its head despite years out of the game.

“When you’re talking to someone and talking about your career, they always throw in, ‘So what’s your brother up to now’.” Jason said.

Making matters even more confusing for Mark is the irony of his real brother’s name – Jason – but it’s something he too has embraced, admitting the way he is repeatedly paired with his former teammate is “kind of nice”.

“Me as Mark Johnson – I don’t think it’s a big thing at Essendon – but the Johnson brothers together means something to me, and that’s what I like to be remembered as,” Mark said.

You can help honour the Johnsons at Etihad Stadium on Saturday as the Bombers look to continue their strong form and keep the season alive against Fremantle from 4:35pm.

To listen to the Johnsons' full interviews with Rohan Connolly, listen to the podcast below.