From Meat Pies to Ford Falcons: The Wild Video Game Bringing Aussie Rules to the World

David Ashby, the creative force behind absurdist project…

David Ashby, the creative force behind absurdist projects like Italian Spider-Man and Danger 5, knows a thing or two about making the familiar feel bizarre. But even he struggled to explain Australian rules football to an international audience. "Eighteen players per side, sprinting around a cricket oval with a rugby ball that must be bounced every so often and kicked through tall posts—it sounds like a fever dream," he laughs. The confusion, however, sparked an idea: what if this already strange sport got even stranger? Two years ago, at a fantasy footy barbecue, Ashby conceived a video game that would turn the sport on its head.

The result is Pro Jank Footy, a chaotic and deliberately silly game that embraces the absurdity of Aussie rules. Developed by Ashby and his team, the game features everything from meat pies with legs to Ford Falcons parked on the oval, creating a world that feels both familiar and utterly unhinged. Broden Kelly, of the comedy trio Aunty Donna, lends his voice and comedic sensibilities to the project, adding another layer of mayhem.

For Ashby, the game is a love letter to the sport's quirks. "Australian rules is already so weird, so we just amplified that weirdness," he explains. Players can expect to see players bouncing on trampolines, umpires being chased by dogs, and a general sense of organized chaos that mirrors the sport's unpredictable nature. The goal is not to simulate the game realistically but to capture its spirit—and then blow it up to cartoonish proportions.

Kelly, who grew up watching footy, says the

Kelly, who grew up watching footy, says the game taps into a universal sense of fun. "It's like if you took the most serious parts of the sport and replaced them with silly putty," he jokes. "You still have the thrill of the game, but you're also laughing at how ridiculous it all is." The game has already attracted attention from international players, many of whom have never seen a real game of Aussie rules but are drawn to its playful chaos.

For those outside Australia, Pro Jank Footy serves as a gateway to understanding the sport's unique appeal. "People in Japan thought we made footy up," Ashby says, recalling early feedback. "Now they're playing the game and asking if real players actually eat meat pies during matches." (They don't, but the game might make you wish they did.)

Ultimately, Pro Jank Footy is a celebration of sport's ability to bring people together, even when it makes no sense. As Ashby puts it, "If you can't explain it, just play it." And with its mix of nostalgia, humor, and outright absurdity, the game is proving that Australian rules can be a global language—one that speaks in kicks, bounces, and the occasional flying pie.