It is not often that players in the same side share a 150-game milestone on the same day but that will be the case for Steven Alessio and Damien Hardwick this weekend. Both Alessio and Hardwick will play their 150th against the Tigers at the MCG this Friday night. The pair have played 110 of their 150 matches in the same senior side - Alessio spending the majority of that time in the ruck or at centre half forward while Hardwick has played just about everywhere but the majority of his time has been spent in defence.

Here are some facts that may interest you about the pair.

Damien Hardwick

Was taken by Essendon in the 1992 draft. He was selection number 87.
He played the entire 1993 season in the reserves.
He won the 1993 reserves best and fairest award.
His first match was in round five, 1994 against Collingwood.
He started on the bench in his first two games then played the rest of the season on the wing before settling in defence the following season.
He won the 1998 W.S Crichton Medal.
He was a member of the 2000 premiership side.
He was an All Australian in 2000 and represented Australia in the International Rules series in Ireland.

Steven Alessio

Steven joined Essendon in 1991 with close friend Ross Napoli. They played together in the under 19s.
His first senior match was in round 10, 1992 against Carlton. Mark Mercuri also debuted that day.
He played his first match at centre half-forward.
He was a member of the 1992 reserves premiership side.
He played in the 1993 and 2000 winning Ansett Cup sides.
He was a member of the 2000 premiership side.
He kicked the match-winning goal against Sydney in round 19 this season.