Mane event: Help us find South Australia’s best school mullet — the winner wins bragging rights and The Advertiser’s Mullet Cup

Students are packing their backpacks and, judging by your entries, there’ll be plenty of mullets at the school gate this year - even a tiny baby version! Enter here before 8am Wednesday.

He’s only four months old but little Donato Faraonio has already joined the junior mullet revolution.

His mother Dayna said Donato’s “accidental” hairdo came naturally and the look has already won over father George and his namesake grandfather.

ENTER YOUR CHILD NOW: Scroll down for the Kids’ Mullet Cup nomination form - entries close 8am Wednesday, February 2

“He was born with a head full of hair but most of it fell out except for the hair at the back,” she said.

“His dad loves it and so does his nonno, who he’s named after. He said Donato looks just like him. Apparently he had a mullet all through the ’80s and he sees a resemblance.”

But Mrs Faraonio, 34, is not as taken with the much-maligned hairstyle, made famous during the 1980s by legends Andre Agassi, Greg Anderson and Billy-Ray Cyrus, and which has recently experienced a resurgence amongst school children.

Four month old Donato Faraonio who has a tiny natural mullet growing on the back of his head with his mum Dayna Faraonio and cousin Vincent Cavallaro. Picture Mark Brake

Four month old Donato Faraonio who has a tiny natural mullet growing on the back of his head with his mum Dayna Faraonio. Picture Mark Brake

“There are a lot of mullets around at the moment, but if I’ve got anything to do with it, Donato’s (mullet) won’t stay around very long,” she said.

“I’m sure there will be protests from dad and nonno if I try to get rid of it!”

To honour the emerging trend, The Advertiser is launching the Kids’ Mullet Cup, in recognition of the most spectacular example of a student’s Mississippi Mudflap.

The winner of the contest, which is open to all school kids 18 and under, will receive the inaugural Kids’ Mullet Cup trophy and playground bragging rights for at least 12 months.

Entries will close at 8am on Wednesday.

One young child hoping to claim the crown will be 12-year-old Liam Liverton of Old Reynella.

Liam Liverton, 12, and his best mate Harry Critchley, 11, comparing mullets at Liam’s home in Old Reynella. The year 7 boys are starting high school this year. Picture: Emma Brasier

Young Liam has been growing his magnificent mullet since October 2020, putting him at the spearhead of the current revolution.

According to dad Andy, Liam often walks around the house making horse noises and telling family members to admire his mane.

And Andy benefits too, once getting two free beers from a café at the Marion shopping centre in recognition of his lad’s amazing hair.

“People stop Liam in the street and tell him how cool his hair is,” he said.

“Not everyone in the family approved at first, but now everyone’s on board.”

Liam, who’s starting high school next week, said he “got a lot of compliments” for his mullet.

“People say it suits me,” he said.

And is there a limit to the length of Liam’s magnificent mane?

“No, there is no limit to the mullet,” he said.

Liam admires his magnificent mullet in the mirror. Picture Emma Brasier