An equal career high four-goal performance from Harley Bennell was not enough to lift the Gold Coast SUNS to victory in their second NAB Challenge match against Brisbane, the team falling by 47-points on a disappointing afternoon at Tony Ireland Stadium.

The 21-year-old speedster was impressive in his first competitive match for 2014, providing a much-needed spark to an undermanned side missing the likes of Michael Rischitelli, David Swallow, Jaeger O’Meara and 2013 Brownlow Medallist Gary Ablett.

With high temperatures of 27 degrees and 74% humidity, a partial heat policy was activated by AFL officials, with the North Queensland clash played with unlimited rotations and no substitutions. 

But the warmer conditions did nothing but enhance Bennell’s clash and polish with the slippery Sherrin, the supreme midfielder picking up 20 touches (13 of which were contested), three marks, three clearances and three inside-50 entries to accompany his four majors.

GC SUNS senior coach Guy McKenna, who filled a football operations role on Sunday as defensive strategist Dean Solomon gained senior coaching experience in the hot seat, told the FOX FOOTY commentary team Bennell had benefited from a superb summer of pre-season training.

“He has really developed a two-way running capacity, which he has brought into his game and is getting the reward for effort,” McKenna said.

The Lions piled on the scoreboard pressure early, kicking the first five goals of the match.

On face value, while the final result was unfavourable for Dean Solomon’s NAB Challenge squad, McKenna said the team could still take plenty of positives from the pre-season exhibition match, including the continued growth of Jesse Lonergan and Sean Lemmens.

“Certainly still some good signs for us. We put Jesse on Daniel Rich who kept him to 7 disposals at the half and really nullified his metres gained.

“Clay was also good down back, and Lemmens was also good in his second game.”

The Gold Coast SUNS will immediately turn their attention to their final practise match against Collingwood, with the AFL powerhouse expected to field their strongest side of the pre-season campaign at Metricon Stadium next weekend.