Dennis Cometti, long regarded as one of the doyens of sports commentary and especially AFL, has died aged 76.
Cometti’s distinguished career as a caller spanned more than half a century. His combination of a deep, clear voice and trademark witticisms made him a unique figure in the calling of AFL games in particular, though he also commentated other sports.
Dennis Cometti’s commentary career spanned 51 years on TV and radio.Credit: John Donegan
The news of Cometti’s death reached WA media on Wednesday morning, AWST.
Cometti’s fabled work as a caller was preceded by a solid football career in the WAFL where he played and coached West Perth.
He was a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and a member of the Order of Australia.
He worked for the ABC, Seven, Nine, 3AW and Triple M and covered cricket and Olympics as well as reading the sport bulletins for television but was best known for his Australian rules football commentary.
Cometti’s partnership with another Australian commentary great, Bruce McAvaney, was a staple of Seven’s AFL coverage until Cometti’s retirement in 2016.
His famous one-liners, known as Cometti-isms, have become a part of football folklore. Among his most memorable quips are “centimetre perfect” and “like a cork in the ocean”, the latter delivered after West Coast’s Peter Wilson kicked a goal over his head during the Eagles’ historic grand final victory in 1992.
His commentary has become a soundtrack to many of the game’s famous moments.
