An emu family interrupted an Australian rules match by running across the pitch.

Tamara Hitchcock was watching the Southerners play the Tigers at Pemberton Sports Club in Western Australia on July 1 when the game was unexpectedly disrupted.

Hilarious footage shows the flightless birds suddenly run on to the grounds as the players were forced just to watch on confused.

The herd zigzagged across the grass for almost a minute before they ran off the other side and up a nearby hill towards the clubhouse.

Tamara said: "This particular family are regular visitors all over the town, but spend a great deal of time at the football oval. However, this is the first time they have joined the game.

"I had said earlier in the game they might call in to see what all the fuss was about.

"Chasing the emus only confuses them, they get scared and run in circles, so you will notice the Footy players just stayed calm.

"People were clapping and making noise to get them off safely, so as not to scare them more, the locals know if you run at them, they will panic which could end up with people getting hurt."