Essendon’s currently playing list got a taste of premiership success on Wednesday evening at the annual EFC Premiership Players Dinner held at the Docklands.

The entire 2015 playing list joined past premiership players spanning a number of eras to celebrate the club’s previous premiership glory.

2000 Premiership ruckman Steven Alessio said the evening was always a special occasion to catch up with former teammates.

“The dinner is always a great night because it gives us an ability to catch up with players that we spent our careers with,” Alessio said.

“You spend time finding out what they are doing, how their families are going and also share stories with each other.

“What is great about it is that it is the premiership players, it is the current playing list and our executive team so it is a very intimate function.

“It is low on formalities but there are plenty of chats and having a few drinks and some food with the chance to renew those friendship we have formed throughout our careers.”

Alessio said it was important for the current playing group to spend time with some of the past champions of the club.

“It is a great opportunity to engage our current players to give them a sense of what it takes to be a part of a premiership team,” he said.

“It shows some of the non tangible things that good teams do that help them to become great teams.”

The former premiership player and current ruck coach said the 2000 premiership team continued to regularly catch up outside of these dinners.

“We have a really good group in that 2000 premiership team and we try to catch up regularly throughout the year,” he said.

“Most of the guys are physically hanging in there and a few guys have put on a bit of weight so they are entitled to a bit of ribbing for putting on that extra size.”