During season 2016, Jimmy Bartel has grown a beard to raise awareness for domestic violence.
Bartel, whose mother was abused by his father growing up, has not shaved for the entire season and is now repping a castaway-style beard.
“I am going to try and get people to start having conversations around domestic violence because I want people to change, and to start owning their behaviours and actions,” Bartel told the Herald Sun earlier this year.
“There are people that think I am are fairly particular about the way I look, so I’m going to challenge their thinking. I am going to be clean-shaven, with a fresh haircut, before Round 1, and then I won’t be shaving until after the Grand Final.
“There are millions of people who will be watching Geelong play this year, so if I can get kids asking their father why I have a big dirty beard and long ratty hair, I will be achieving something. I would love it if a father has to explain to his son or daughter that I’m doing it to raise awareness around domestic violence, and to also explain the issues surrounding domestic violence, and to have an important conversation around it.”
We have looked back at every round this season to see the evolution of Bartel's beard throughout the year.
