Jimmy Bartel shaved his beard. His son was utterly confused.

Here one day, gone the next: this is the story of AFL star Jimmy Bartel’s incredible beard.

The Geelong player made a statement in the 2016 season by refusing to shave his beard for 200 days, making a statement about family violence after experiencing it first hand as a young child.

He revealed his mother was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of his father in an interview with the Herald Sun.

Just yesterday, Bartel shaved off his signature look, after raising thousands of dollars for The Luke Batty Foundation and Bethany as part of the Face Up to DV campaign.

But while fans applauded his campaign, spare a thought for his 11-month-old son, Aston, who was more than a little confused when confronted with his dad's clean-shaven face.

Bartel's wife, fashion blogger Nadia, posted a video on Instagram of the couple's son seeing his dad beard-less for the first time.

We think this face says it all:

"It's me, Daddy!" Jimmy says to his young son in the clip.

"It's dad-dad! He keeps looking where my beard was."

Just one day before his shave, Jimmy posted a picture of his son, writing that he hoped his "little fella" would still recognise him sans growth.

Hope the little fella doesn't fresh air me tomorrow when I finally have a haircut and shave. I have many people to thank. I will get to you all eventually. Huge thanks to all my family for the amazing support and just being the stars that they are. Bethany and The Luke Batty Foundation for allowing me to align with you for my #faceuptodv campaign. To every person who has donated, it is going to go a long way to help many families. Everyone who sent me messages, emails, letters or stopped to chat your support and encouragement has been inspiring. To the following. @thelighthaus @essendonford @1116sen @krockfootball @geelongaddy @heraldsunphoto. @joeyscandizzo @theemerson_au Bendigo Bank. Thank you thank you. Again if I have forgotten you I will get to it sorry. #thanks #cleancuttomorrow #200days #sorryaboutthelongcaption

A photo posted by Jimmy Bartel (@jrb03) on Oct 2, 2016 at 11:12pm PDT

Straight after his shave, the sportsman said he "couldn't wait" to see the look on his son's face.

You can donate to Jimmy Bartel's Face Up To DV here.

If you or a loved one is struggling with domestic abuse, Mamamia urges you to contact 1800 RESPECT, or visit this website.