Izayah Rioli, cousin of Cyril, shows off his talent against Dandenong Stingrays

THE day after we said goodbye to one Rioli who lit up footy fields around the country, another showed his wares on a quiet suburban ground in Melbourne. And the similarities are striking.

THE game is saying its goodbyes to Hawthorn premiership star Cyril Rioli.

But in a few years it may be greeting his cousin, Izayah.

The 15-year-old is in Melbourne with WA club South Fremantle’s under-16 team, which played the Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval in Dandenong today.

The grandson of Richmond and South Freo great Maurice Rioli, Izayah is a 184cm forward. And while he didn’t kick a goal against the Stingrays, he showed specks of the skill that runs in a famous football family.

Izayah Rioli flies for a mark. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Izayah Rioli. Picture: Valeriu Campan

In the first quarter he shot off a handball, then seconds later launched into a tackle. A few minutes later he managed to shake his right hand free and get away another handball despite fierce pressure from two opponents.

“He’s very flashy. Does the things that most of us wish we could do,’’ South Freo assistant coach Matt Johnson said at halftime.

Stingrays talent manager Mark Wheeler said: “There’s something there. You can see he’s got some — I hate to use the word magic too much — but you can see little glimpses of it. He’s got some way to go with his work rate but so did Cyril at that age. But that will come.’’

Izayah — “Izi’’ to his teammates — attends Trinity College in Perth.

Cyril Rioli's nephew Izayah Rioli, in action against Dandenong Stingrays. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The South Fremantle under-16s visit Melbourne every year.

They trained at Essendon’s The Hangar yesterday, will visit Carlton tomorrow and attend matches at the MCG on Friday night and Sunday.

Johnson said it was a terrific experience for the players.

“It’s a bit different to what they know at home. They’re used to playing in mid-20 degrees. Bit different here today!’’ he said.

The Stingrays won the match comfortably with a team that included Flynn Hynes, former Frankston VFL captain John’s boy; Jordan Andrews, the son of former Dandenong and Frankston defender Bertie; and Kobi George, whose father, David, also played for Dandy and the Dolphins.

Victorian under-age volleyballer Blake Kuipers, from Rosebud, had some good moments in the ruck for the Stingrays and 158cm forward Brodie Scully stood out with his blistering pace.