World Footy News

Brendan Beno has been starring for PNG and was offered the opportunity on Saturday to play with the Brisbane Lions reserves. He is currently scholarship listed for the club so it was a great opportunity for the Lions who were playing against the Sydney Swans' at the GWS home ground, to throw him into the action.

In the NEAFL crossover clash the Lions were soundly beaten by the Swans but Beno was able to have an early chance to goal from a set shot. Known as a very accurate kick that rarely misses, he did miss on this occaision, which can be clearly put down to nerves.

He was rotated on and off the ground, playing in the forward pocket (which didn't see a huge amount of action given the Swan's dominance) and laid a number of tackles against much bigger opposition. He certainly didn't look out of his depth at the level and hopefully the Lion's will see much more of him in 2012.

Other internationals of note playing in the match were the Sydney trio of Irishman Tadgh Kennelly (background above) who was dropped from the Swans senior team, Irishman Chris McKauige who has been unable to break into the Swans senior team and Canadian Mike Pyke. Beno's countryman Donald Barry also played with the Lion's reserves as he has done for 15 matches this year.

Above: Sydney's Chris McKaigue takes kick as Beno stands the mark.