Steve Weaver Crawford (third from left) is founder of Saint John Bulldogs Footy Club
Steve Weaver Crawford didn’t just bring his love of Australian Rules Football to Saint John, he’s building something bigger. What started as a few people just kicking the ball around has grown into a real club, a tight-knit community, and a vision for a local league.
Aussie Rules, or "footy," is a fast-paced, high-scoring game traditionally played on massive cricket fields, usually 180 to 200 meters long. In Steve’s native Melbourne, it’s not uncommon to see 100,000 fans in the stands watching the 18 players on the field… for each team. But here, they make it work with 11 per side. It’s a sport that blends elements of soccer, rugby, and football, with constant movement and no offside rule, just plenty of running, passing, and leaping for big catches ("marks").
Steve, who grew up with the sport, started playing in Saint John just to get a game going, but as more people joined in, New Brunswick’s first club was born—the Saint John Bulldogs. Named after his favourite team in Melbourne, his goal was to share the excitement of footy with a new audience and create a space where anyone, no matter their skill level, could get involved. The club is co-ed, open to all ages, and players decide their own level of contact. More than anything, it’s about having fun, staying active, and building a strong sense of community.
That sense of community extends beyond Saint John. The Bulldogs have joined AFL Canada-Atlantic, traveling across the Maritimes to PEI, Sydney and Halifax for club matches. Steve’s long-term goal? Establish a local league right here while building a competitive team that can represent Saint John at the regional level.
Growing the game in Atlantic Canada comes with challenges like smaller fields, fewer players, and limited awareness, but Steve is up for it. And with each kick, mark, and goal, footy is finding its footing in Saint John.
Want in? The Bulldogs are in pre-season training indoors at the Irving Oil Field House every other Tuesday from 8:30-10 pm, and newcomers are always welcome. A six-session pass is $50 to cover field rentals. Think of it as a small price for big kicks.
And if you have no idea how Aussie Rules works? No worries.This video breaks it down better than we ever could (find out what a speccy is too).