This weekend will mark the first games of Australian rules football ever to be played in New Brunswick.

On Saturday afternoon, the Saint John Bulldogs will host the Halifax Dockers and Sydney Giants.

The three teams from Australian Football League Atlantic will square off in a round-robin format.

It is described as a huge achievement for AFL Atlantic as it looks to expand its presence around the Maritimes.

Players from Prince Edward Island will also be joining in as participation continues to build in the island province.

Australian football is often said to combine the endurance of soccer, the contact of rugby, and the athleticism of basketball.

Traditionally played with 18 players per side on an oval cricket field, AFL Atlantic’s slimmed-down version consists of 10 players per side and is played on a rugby or Canadian football field.

Games take place at Emera Field in Saint John’s Shamrock Park starting at 1 p.m.