EVERYONE knows the feeling when you first walk into the hairdresser: 

The clean smell, the sound of the scissors snipping, friendly barbers who can’t wait to chat. 

You sit anxiously thinking about what style you get, but also get excited at the prospect of walking out with a fresh do.  

210 barbershop: 

Alex Mirkov walked through the doors of 210 barber studio (ducking his head) ahead of this Friday’s annual Carlton Respects game.

The Blues (Jesse Motlop, Corey Durdin, Jack Carroll and Mirkov) were greeted by Luke and Daniel Mancuso, better known for the work they do for social enterprise YiaYia Next Door - and current ambassadors for the Carlton Respects program. 

There were smiles, handshakes and laughs as the team caught up with the familiar faces of Luke and Daniel, exchanging stories since the last time they had seen each other and catching up on everything in between.

From there, however, there was business to be done. 

Conversation quickly shifted to what the transformation would look like. What level of fade? Scissors or clippers? How short should I go? Jesse Motlop pulled out a photo of himself for reference of ‘perfection’ whilst Jack and Corey chose the more traditional route of a stock image. 

Decisions were made and confirmed, as Jack Carroll was the first Blue to make his way to the chair. 

The story of YiaYia Next Door: 

Luke and Daniel Mancuso's lives were turned upside down when their mother was killed through a domestic violence incident at the hands of their father.

The brothers moved into their mother’s house following the harrowing event, not knowing what to do or where to turn. 

All of a sudden, a lifeline was thrown to them over the fence in the form of Yia Yia and – their next door neighbour who delivered the grieving boys home-cooked meals. 

Sharing Yia Yia’s kindness (and spanakopita) on social media, Luke and Daniel had no idea what would happen next. 

Yia Yia was an instant Instagram sensation, and, whilst the woman herself has never shown her face on social media, she has captured the hearts of many for her kind-hearted gesture and the love she has shown to the boys. 

Giving Luke and Daniel a sense of community and friendship, the boys found the strength to share their story through their platform.  

Back in the chair: 

Sitting back and observing, you could see the impact Luke and Daniel’s experience was having on the players. 

Moreso, you could see the comfort they were beginning to take in the vulnerability and openness they were witnessing - something Luke could not stress the importance of enough especially given the platform that the players have. 

In an article written for the Carlton website, Luke and Daniel reference why they do what they do and what it means, with this quote ringing true for the conversation that took place at the barbershop. 

“It’s so important, given in this day and age, domestic violence is far too common,” they said. 

“We really want to make an impact on our platforms, as men, to get the message across to the younger generation. They learn from a young age about what’s wrong and what’s right.

“Growing up, we idolised athletes. We believe that if the men’s and women’s players can come together and show the initiative to set the example of what it takes to be a male or a female in this day and age, that can drive home with the kids.”

The transformation: 

Speaking to Corey Durdin - a player accustomed to opening up discussing the tough issues - the pair’s discussion quickly turned from small talk to Carlton Respect’s new  digital learning platform ‘Road to Respect.

Durdin asked Luke what he thought kids needed to know about respect and how important it was that schools start that initiative and Luke asked Durdin how he handles the pressure of being vulnerable in the public eye. 

The aim of the schools program works to educate students about respectful behaviour, ensuring they’re aware of what is considered healthy – a tool Luke wishes he and his brother had when they were in school. 

Help us impact the next generation. Support our Carlton Respects schools program by clicking here. 

Working to stop disrespect at the start, Luke said AFL players like Durdin speaking out can enlighten kids as to what healthy relationships and emotions are as well as breaking down stereotypes and misconceptions about gender roles. 

The conversation went back and forth, with both gaining momentum as Durdin’s hair hit the floor. 

Despite the cameras on them both, the two were lost in an important dialogue, with Luke encouraging the small-forward to have these conversations with his fellow teammates outside of the football setting. 

Each player rotated through the black leather chair with the purple smock hanging around their neck, chatting to Luke in the most open and honest way possible.

With the razor buzzing, the scissors cutting and the incense burning, each player had an opportunity to admire Luke’s courage as well as their transformation in the mirror. 

While it seems like the four players walked out with a clean fade, there’s a good chance they walked out with something more than that. 

A fresh perspective? An urge to share more? Another chance to call out bad behaviour? 

We don’t know exactly what was running through their head, but the cathartic experience of the 210 barbershop highlights exactly what the Carlton Respects initiative is about: education and connection.