Essendon’s Mason Redman set to chop off luscious locks to raise $50,000 for charity

Brad Scott has thrown one of Essendon’s best players behind the ball as he looks to give the Bombers an added threat coming out of backline — and the move already looks to be paying off.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Mason Redman of the Bombers in action during the round 21 AFL match between Essendon Bombers and West Coast Eagles at Marvel Stadium on August 05, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Essendon star Mason Redman has tagged Nic Martin as his new defensive partner in crime as he prepares to cut off his flowing locks to raise $50,000 for cancer support.

The Essendon cult hero with the long red locks and the iconic Hellboy horns goal celebration will cut off his hair at Saturday week’s Bombers family day in an event dubbed Red Dog’s Big Groom.

What started with Redman and partner Emma wondering if it was time for him to try shorter hair quickly morphed into a fundraiser for Challenge, a no-brainer given his links to the charity organisation.

Essendon star Mason Redman is shaving his king hair for cancer support awareness as part of the Big Red’s Big Groom initiative Picture: Supplied

While Redman was an All Australian squad member last year Martin was also in the picture as an elite wingman before eventually fading from contention.

But with Xavier Duursma and Jake Kelly likely to help fill those wing spots this year, Redman revealed Martin had trained the whole summer in the backline in a bold positional switch.

There is huge competition for spots given Ben McKay and Zach Reid will likely fill the key defensive roles and Nik Cox is also training as a rebounding defender.

While Dons fans might have grown tired of the annual pre-season spruiking, the Bombers do have impressive depth as well as injury-prone trio Reid, Cox and Harrison Jones finally in good nick.

Mason Redman will be shaving off his locks for charity. Picture: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

“It’s a really healthy playing group which is a bit of a change from years past,” Redman said.

“This time of the year it’s crucial and not only did the boys come back in good nick but we have been able to get out and have good training sessions with pretty much the whole group,” he said.

“Nic has been training alongside myself and Andy (McGrath) as the smaller guys in the backline in the pre-season to date and it wouldn’t surprise me if that’s how we line up in round 1.

“He is a very offensive player and it brings a different element to our backline. You always want guys who the opposition have to think about, and if they have got your offence on their mind instead of kicking a goal we are doing our job.

Nic Martin is being picked to run off half back for the Bombers this season. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Redman was keen to cut his hair short and initially hoped he might raise a couple of thousand dollars but with Yakult already tipping in $10,000 the sky could be the limit.

“Initially I was just going to get it cut off. To be honest it was starting to annoy me and it was time,” Redman said.

“A couple of guys said I should do it for a good cause and I have a good affiliation with Challenge through the club and have done a fair bit of work with them at hospitals. It is something pretty close to home for a lot of Australians.

“We have gone with the expression Big Groom instead of shave and I have been told if I shave it I might not be allowed in the door at home but if I can tie it in a ponytail and get one of the kids from Challenge to cut it that would be pretty cool.”

Originally published as Essendon’s Mason Redman set to chop off luscious locks to raise $50,000 for charity