Dennis Cometti, Australian sports commentary great, dies aged 76

Dennis Cometti, one of the greats of Australian sports commentary, has died at the age of 76.

The West Australian became known for his incisive calling, silky voice and sharp wit in front of a microphone over the course of a career spanning 51 years, which included stints with the ABC, Channel 7 and Channel 9.

He was most well known for his work on Australian rules football, although he also commentated on other sports, including cricket and the Olympics. His career came to an end in 2021, when he called the AFL grand final for Triple M.

Cometti was famous for the witty one-liners he delivered during games, which became affectionately known as Cometti-isms. “[Daniel] Metropolis, kicking to the city end” was one; “Remember the name: [Adem] Y-Z-E – terrific young player; bad Scrabble hand” another. “Centimetre perfect” was probably his most well known.

Prior to taking up residence in the commentary box, Cometti enjoyed a respectable career as a player, appearing 38 times and kicking 70 goals for West Perth in the WAFL before taking charge of the team as coach for 65 games.

He was awarded the Order of Australia and inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2019, and the Australian Football Hall of Fame a year later.

“Dennis was a voice for our game for more than 50 years, and he captured the moment perfectly every time and made it fun along the way,” AFL commission chair Richard Goyder said.

“From his start at the ABC, with a significant career there too as a high-quality cricket caller for Test matches in the 1970s, footy was the beneficiary for so long with his incredible skills.

“He was a master of calling everything – cricket, the Olympics, swimming and anything he turned his hand too – but footy was lucky to have him the longest for his greatest work.

Cometti formed an unbeatable and hugely entertaining partnership with fellow Hall of Fame member Bruce McAvaney in their grand final calls for the Seven Network.

AFL chief executive, Andrew Dillon, paid tribute to Cometti, highlighting his last television call – the 2016 grand final, when the Bulldogs broke their 62-year premiership drought in an emotional game – as one of many to remember.

“Dennis’s call of that amazing game was simply perfect but every fan of a certain age has their own catchphrase that jumps straight to the tongue, whether it’s ‘cork in the ocean’, ‘centimetre perfect’ or Buddy sprinting down the wing at the MCG,” Dillon said.

“We are privileged that so much of his greatest work calling our biggest games is easily available for all fans, and thank you Dennis for illuminating footy and your contribution across the country to bring that excitement into homes.”

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