‘Who dis?’: Brisbane Lions star stuns AFL, suddenly unrecognisable

AFL fans have been left stunned after a Brisbane Lions cult hero showed off a new look that made him barely recognisable at his finals game.

Kai Lohmann has shaved his hair off. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Kai Lohmann, what have you done.

Footy fans around the country did a double take when the Brisbane Lions livewire turned up to the Gabba for his side’s semi-final against the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night.

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Lohmann is renowned for having some of most the luscious locks in the AFL, with his flowing blonde surfer look rivalling Geelong’s Bailey Smith for the best mane in the league.

But for some reason, the 22-year-old decided to shave all his hair off ahead of the sudden death clash, leaving fans and his own teammates stunned.

“He sent me a photo of a pretty shocking head which I didn’t think was his, looking at the screen I thought he was playing some sort of joke on me,” injured Lions star Lachie Neale said.

“Quite a different look to what we’re used to from him. Let’s hope he plays well.”

New hair, who dis? (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Kai Lohmann cut off his luscious locks. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

“The reports are he went in for a trim and it didn’t go that well, so he had to go back and get rid of the lot,” Kane Cornes said on Channel 7.

“From what I understand, he may have gone for a bit of a style and it didn’t work out, so he’s just clipped it all off,” Lions assistant coach Cameron Bruce said on ABC Sport.

Leading AFL photographer Michael Wilson shared some snaps of Lohmann’s new look, posting: “Who dis?”

Lions fans couldn’t believe their eyes as Lohmann walked onto the Gabba and smiled in a video shared by the club on Instagram.

Thosecarterboys commented: “Please make skinhead Kai the greatest player of all time.”

One fan said: “Double trouble with Brandon Starcevich,” in reference to the Brisbane defender who has gone for the shaved head look in recent seasons.

Kai Lohmann sporting a fresh look before the semi final match between the Lions and the Suns at the Gabba. Picture Lachie Millard

He’s barely recognisable. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

A second said: “Genuinely thought it was a filter at first.”

A third said: “Does this mean he will move even faster than he does already xo.”

Another joked: “What type of bet did he lose.”

Lohmann has been in and out of Brisbane’s side in 2025 as he battled injuries, but he showed he is a pivotal part of the Lions’ forward line by kicking four goals in last year’s grand final win.

Reigning premiers Brisbane are aiming to avoid a straight sets exit after they lost their qualifying final to Geelong last week.

The winner of the clash between the Suns and Lions will take on Collingwood at the MCG in a preliminary final.

Originally published as ‘Who dis?’: Brisbane Lions star stuns AFL, suddenly unrecognisable