Don't be shocked by AFL star Jimmy Bartel's beard. There's an incredible meaning behind it.

If you’re not an AFL fan, but love tuning into The Brownlow red carpet every year, you might’ve done a double-take at Jimmy Bartel‘s jawline on Monday night.

With fashion-blogger wife Nadia Bartel by his side and the title of 2015’s Sexiest AFL Player under his belt, what was on the star’s chin might’ve come as a surprise.

A big, bushy, thick, wild, dark beard. One that reached the tip of his bow-tie and threatened to swallow his ears whole.

A photo posted by CHRONICLES OF NADIA (@nadiabartel) on Sep 26, 2016 at 3:53pm PDT

The beard is the epitome of attention-grabbing. It makes you stop and ask the nearest person, “what the hell is going on with Jimmy Bartel’s beard?”. In fact, it’s a conversation I’ve had with everyone from my boyfriend’s dad to my grandmother this year.

And that’s exactly the point.

Jimmy Bartel hasn’t shaved since before the beginning of the AFL home and away season in March, in the hope that you would turn to your girlfriend, your partner, your parent or colleague and ask that very question.

This year, the 32-year-old provided an insight into the darker, more turbulent side of his life that outsiders might deem unimaginable given his sporting glory.

His childhood.

“There was one occasion though that still sits vividly in my memory,” Bartel told the Herald Sun of his own domestically-violent dad.

“I remember where I was, how the house was set up, where I was standing. I remember Mum being on the floor in the hallway; he had repeatedly hit her, and she was trying to crawl away from him. I remember Olivia (eldest sister) trying to push him away from Mum, and he physically threw her against the wall, like a rag doll, which is hard to comprehend.”

Memories of his father Terry beating his mother Dianne are some of the father-of-one's earliest.

"He hit her a lot. Never when she was looking though, that was the key. He would always make sure she had turned away, and then he’d belt her."

After desperately witnessing the cycle of his mother leaving, before being dragged back into her abusive marriage, Bartel has set his sights on helping other women in the same position.

"One of the difficult things for many women is trying to leave when you’re stuck financially," the three-time premiership player said, adding: "Emotionally, your self-worth is taken away from you, so it is hard to get the confidence to take that leap."

And this is where that beard - that glorious, ridiculous beard - comes into play.

"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.

A photo posted by Jimmy Bartel (@jrb03) on Jul 28, 2016 at 12:28am PDT

"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... 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."

To further help struggling women and their children, a donation page for Bartel's cause was set up, with all funds going towards the Luke Batty Foundation and Bethany, a Geelong-based female support group.

Listen: Nadia Bartel talks about her home-life with Jimmy. Post continues below.

At Monday night's Brownlow Medal, Bartel was formally recognised by the AFL and named the recipient of the 2016 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award. With it, came a further $40,000 donation.

While Bartel waits for this Saturday's grand final between the Bulldogs and Swans - the day his beard can finally come off - he has a powerful message for women who may be in the same position his mum was nearly 30 years ago.

"You are not alone. There is help available. You are valued. You don’t need to be imprisoned by it or defined by it. You are not responsible for the inexcusable actions against you. You are worth a lot. It’s not embarrassing. It is not a stain on your life. You don’t have to blame yourself."

You are a star, Jimmy. And that's got nothing to do with footy.

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.