At that point, they would never have dreamed of playing 300 games for the one club in the ACT State League and ACT Premier League competitions.

But this weekend will see both Hartin and Mills line up against Monaro at Strikers Park having amassed this huge sporting milestone.

Both players have been with the club in some capacity for their entire senior footballing careers and say that they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“This club has been a massive part of my life,” Mills said in reflection.

“The titles we have won along the way are the standout memories for mine.”

Hartin recalled more recent history from 2016 as his favorite memory in maroon and white.

“Scoring a hat-trick last August in the Association Cup final to defeat our Goulburn rivals the Stags was my favourite,” he said.

“That, and beating Macarthur Rams in the Tiger Turf Cup”.

When asked about who they had enjoyed playing with and against over the years, Mills said Ed Harris “was by far the best defender I’ve played with”.

Andrew Aliffi “has been unrivalled for workrate”.

“Toughest opponent would have to be either Ulises Castro or Adam Spaletta from our days in Premier League,” he said.

Hartin said that “playing with my brother Luke for so long has been an honour and Brody Willis has been a standout player I’ve played with.

“The toughest opponents would have to be Tommy Rogic, who now plays for the Socceroos, and Dustin Wells.”

Both players agreed that, no matter who wore the maroon and white over the years, they were always proud to play alongside them.

Mills and Hartin will join club president and captain David Albrighton, who notched up his 300th match in the cup final last year.

It doesn’t end this weekend for Striker milestones, either, as Luke Hartin notches up a huge 250^th match next Saturday against Brindabella Blues.

Strikers custodian Justin Daly will also pull on the boots and gloves for his 150th appearance in that match.

It is not a bad effort for Daly, who admits “I was never really into soccer when I was younger, but I have really enjoyed playing with Ben, Adam and Dave and the others over the years”. 

Daly also noted the Cup win against Stags as a memorable career match.

Luke Hartin spoke about his 250 appearances with great pride. “Every time I pull on the maroon and white, I couldn’t be more proud to play with this bunch of blokes.

“We’ve seen ups and downs over the years but we’ve all stuck through it and the Strikers is like a second family to us all now.

“I had one season in Premier League away from this club and it was clear it just wasn’t the same. The Strikers is where my heart lies and it will be a proud day to reck up 250 for the club I love.”

The Strikers women are also hitting some very high match numbers.

In coming weeks Jayde Riordan will chalk up her 150th cap for the Strikers while Shannon Nolan has played more women’s matches than any other Strikers woman with a massive 170 games in goal.

Riordan said she had a lot of very fond memories over her time. “The weekend I turned 18, the girls floured me in the changerooms at Cookbundoon. I’m sure it was hilarious for them, not so much for me at the time, but very memorable,” she laughed. She also elaborated: “There’s been so many great girls I’ve enjoyed playing with. Shannon Nolan, Carlie Slater and Sam Hartin are a few, but I’ve really enjoyed playing with them all.”

When asked who she enjoyed playing against, Riordan said: “Ash Kara and Bronte Copland stand out in my mind, and the entire Weston Molonglo team were always tough.”

The Strikers’ women’s coach and long-standing men’s Strikers player Tim Dally will notch up his 150^th match in the first week of semi-finals in a few weeks, should the Strikers reserves make it.

Dally speaks fondly of his nine years with the Strikers. “I always loved the Cooma trips with the boys. They were always hard fought wins and the bus trips home will live long in the memory,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky to have such good mates to play with over the years like Bryan Roberts, Jason Dinsmore, Benny, Millsy and Dave. All just great guys and I’ve loved building a culture at this great club with these guys.”

Like Mills, Dally also noted Adam Spatta as his toughest opponent in Canberra over the years.

Matches this weekend at Strikers Park are 3pm Saturday for the first grade men, and 2pm Sunday for the Strikers women. Come down and celebrate with the Strikers players and members on two stalwarts reaching their 300th cap. Full canteen facilities available.