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.

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.