Aussie rules Tug-o-War: Goanna Pulling championship kicks off as contestants go head-to-head to see who has the strongest neck

• Leather straps looped around necks of competitors who pull with necks to drag opponent over the line
• Started as an ode to goanna lizard, native to Wooli, Australia, and famed for being fierce predator
• Now in 28th year of official contest, men and women train for years before flocking to the town

By Mia De Graaf

Published: 13:59 EDT, 24 February 2014 | Updated: 14:40 EDT, 24 February 2014

You need a brass neck to take on these guys.

Almost eye-to-eye with their rivals, competitors assume the stance of a lizard before a leather and metal strap is looped over their necks - then they pull.

The bizarre Goanna Pulling tradition, dating back to the 19th century, started as an ode to the goanna lizard, native to Wooli, Australia.

Now, in its 28th year of official competition, people train for years before flocking to the town to show what they're worth.

The two opponents each place their palms behind a white line traced on the board, and a referee puts a large leather belt around their heads.

As soon as he gives the signal, the two contestants must use their upper body strength to pull the other guy past the line and win the game.

The competitors are split into heats of weight - men's under 63kg, 63kg-82kg, 82kg-95kg, 95kg or over, and women's under 70kg and over 70kg.

Some contests last seconds, others drag on for minutes.

Battle: Competitors flock to Wooli, Australia, to test the strength of their neck. Assuming the stance of a lizard, they loop a leather strap around their neck

Almost eye-to-eye, the Goanna Pulling contestants train for months to build the strength to pull their opponent over the white line in the 19th century sport

The tradition started as an ode to the goanna lizard, which has developed into an annual battle featuring heavy duty leather and metal straps

Competitors are split into weights - four men's categories and two women's - for the heats. Some last seconds, others can drag on for minutes

Faces squashed by the straps, people train for years before flocking to Wooli, Australia, to show what they are made of and to fight for a trophy

This woman (left) has moved on to a second competitor in the upper weight category after quickly dragging the first over the line

Goanna: The goanna lizard, native to Wooli, is bulky and predatory, with thick necks and piercing eyes - the characteristics of Goanna Pulling champions