Source : ABC NEWS
Legendary sports commentator Dennis Cometti has died aged 76, his family has confirmed.
Cometti covered a range of sports but was perhaps best known for his work as a VFL/AFL commentator on television from 1986.
ABC presenter Mark Gibson fought back tears as he broke the news on Perth radio this morning.
“Dennis Cometti is a legend of this state in broadcasting, in sports, in media, and is a much-loved member of the community,” he said.
“Dennis has been unwell for several years. This is a great, great loss for Western Australia.”
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The Geraldton native also played 40 matches for West Perth in the WAFL before injuries prevented a career in the VFL in 1971.
Cometti worked for the ABC from 1972 to 1986, calling Test cricket for more than a decade, before jumping across to Seven to cover the footy.
He also broadcast three Summer Olympic Games — in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000).
Cometti was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Australian Football Hall of Fame a year later.
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Retiring AFL Commission chair Richard Goyder said the historic moments in football history were amplified by Cometti’s calls, particularly alongside long-time colleague Bruce McAvaney.
“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,” 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 to — but footy was lucky to have him the longest for his greatest work.
Dennis Cometti was a fixture of AFL television broadcasts. (Getty Images: Morne de Klerk)
“It must also be remembered too that Dennis was a fine player at league level for West Perth in the WAFL before his broadcast career took off, and also then coached the club at senior level.
“He stands rightly in the hall of fame as one of the greatest media contributors in our history and we send our deepest condolences to his family and countless friends.”
The Western Bulldogs’ drought-breaking premiership in 2016 was his final call on television and he retired from commentary completely five years later after the Melbourne Demons’ 2021 grand final win.
‘We all felt like he was our Dennis’
WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas, a former colleague of Cometti at Seven, said it was “sad news”.
“He had such a huge impact on so many,” Zempilas told ABC Radio Perth.
“Not just young and aspiring broadcasters or young footballers, but he really did touch the community of Western Australia.
“He was so brilliant at what he did; he was the best of his kind at calling the football and he was loved.”
Mr Zempilas said Cometti cared about people and was “sensitive in a great way”.
“He was funny, he was warm … often in a coffee shop, or at the airport, or just walking down the street, people would come up to Dennis, and he would make people feel like they were the most important person. He had a rare ability to convey that warmth.
“He was very, very generous with his time, with his knowledge — he was keen for the next generation to get their opportunities and to prosper.”
Dennis Cometti was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2019. (AAP: Michael Dodge)
Zempilas said Cometti deserved a state funeral for his service to the nation.
“Den deserves one. He had the broadcast centre at [Perth] Stadium named after him. He was held in high regard,” he said.
“But that would be a matter for the family of course. Even though we all felt like he was our Dennis, he was Velia’s Dennis first and foremost.
“Ricki, his daughter, and Mark, his son, are a very tight family, and ultimately this is a decision for them.
“In the end, he was revered everywhere he went. That is the sort of person he was.
“He wasn’t an Olympic broadcaster, but he became one of the very best Olympic broadcasters of all time. That’s how good he was. He could turn his talents to anything.”
WA Premier Roger Cook said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Cometti’s passing.
“He’s an icon of sport in Western Australia and of course a legend of the AFL,” he said.
“He has called footy for as long as I can remember and I even remember watching him on a black and white telly.
“He’s been part of all our lives, he was responsible for coining some of the most iconic phrases in football commentary and he’ll be dearly missed.
“Our thoughts and prayers and condolences go out to him and all his family.”
