1880s
Still common
Definition
Bold, gutsy, and ready to stand your ground no matter what.
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Where "As Game as Ned Kelly" Comes From
It's named after Ned Kelly, Australia's most famous bushranger, who made his last stand against police at Glenrowan in 1880 wearing a suit of homemade metal armour before being captured and later hanged.
Despite being an outlaw, Kelly became a genuine folk hero in Australian culture — even his reported last words, "such is life," turned into their own well-known saying.
Example Sentence
Standing up to the boss like that? He's as game as Ned Kelly.
How Aussies Actually Use It
Used as high praise for anyone showing real courage or defiance, regardless of the odds.
Draws directly on Ned Kelly's own legend as Australia's most famous folk-hero outlaw.
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