Dennis Cometti, Australian Sports Commentary Great, Dies Aged 76

2 days ago

Dennis Cometti, 1 of nan greats of Australian sports commentary, has died astatine nan property of 76.

The West Australian became known for his incisive calling, silky sound and crisp wit successful beforehand of a microphone complete nan people of a profession spanning 51 years, which included stints pinch nan ABC, Channel 7 and Channel 9.

He was astir good known for his activity connected Australian rules football, though he besides commentated connected different sports, including cricket and nan Olympics. His profession came to an extremity successful 2021, erstwhile he called nan AFL expansive last for Triple M.

Cometti was celebrated for nan witty one-liners he delivered during games, which became affectionately known arsenic Cometti-isms. “[Daniel] Metropolis, kicking to nan metropolis end” was one; “Remember nan name: [Adam] Y-Z-E—terrific young player; bad Scrabble hand” another. “Centimetre perfect” was astir apt his astir well-known.

Prior to taking up residence successful nan commentary box, Cometti enjoyed a respectable profession arsenic a player, appearing 38 times and kicking 70 goals for West Perth successful nan WAFL earlier taking complaint of nan squad arsenic coach for 65 games.

He was awarded nan Order of Australia and inducted into nan Sport Australia Hall of Fame successful 2019, and nan Australian Football Hall of Fame a twelvemonth later.

“Dennis was a sound for our crippled for much than 50 years, and he captured nan infinitesimal perfectly each clip and made it nosy on nan way,” AFL Commission chair Richard Goyder said.

“From his commencement astatine nan ABC, pinch a important profession location excessively arsenic a high-quality cricket caller for Test matches successful nan 1970s, footy was nan beneficiary for truthful agelong pinch his unthinkable skills.

“He was a maestro of calling everything – cricket, nan Olympics, swimming and thing he turned his manus excessively – but footy was fortunate to person him nan longest for his top work.

Dennis Cometti was inducted into nan Sport Australia Hall of Fame successful 2019.

Cometti formed an unbeatable and hugely entertaining business pinch chap Hall of Fame personnel Bruce McAvaney successful their expansive last calls for nan Seven Network.

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon paid tribute to Cometti, highlighting his past tv telephone – nan 2016 expansive final, erstwhile nan Bulldogs collapsed their 62-year premiership drought successful an affectional crippled – arsenic 1 of galore to remember.

“Dennis’s telephone of that astonishing crippled was simply cleanable but each instrumentality of a definite property has their ain catchphrase that jumps consecutive to nan tongue, whether it’s ‘cork successful nan ocean’, ‘centimetre perfect’ aliases Buddy sprinting down nan helping astatine nan MCG,” Dillon said.

“We are privileged that truthful overmuch of his top activity calling our biggest games is easy disposable for each fans, and convey you Dennis for illuminating footy and your publication crossed nan state to bring that excitement into homes.”