The loss of a true icon has left the sports world reflecting on a career that reshaped how we hear the game. Dennis Cometti, long regarded as a master of sports commentary and a towering figure in AFL broadcasting, has died at 76.
Cometti’s impact stretched across more than five decades, underpinned by a voice that was simultaneously warm, lucid, and unmistakably his own. His clever wordplay and vivid descriptions added color to AFL matches, while his expressive style also graced cricket and other sports, showcasing his wide-ranging talent.
Partnering for many years with Bruce McAvaney on Seven, Cometti helped forge a fresh, higher standard for AFL commentary. Their duo defined an era and became the benchmark others measured themselves against. They remained a central part of Seven’s coverage until Cometti stepped away from the microphone in 2016.
Before shining in the booth, Cometti made his mark on the field. He played in the WAFL for West Perth, later coaching the club, and also had a brief stint with Footscray (now the Western Bulldogs) in the VFL.
His broadcast style became famous for signature phrases—such as “centimetre perfect” and the vividly humorous “bobbing like a cork in the ocean.” The latter came after West Coast’s Peter Wilson kicked a goal over Cometti’s head during the Eagles’ memorable 1992 grand final triumph.
Eddie McGuire, a longtime colleague and former Collingwood president, described Cometti as “a complete joy to work with.” He noted that Cometti could call the action with pinpoint accuracy, craft the right line for the moment, and effortlessly drop a trademark quip, placing him among the world’s best commentators.
McGuire recalled the moment when Ben Cousins, Eagles captain, was involved in a infamous episode and Cometti’s remark captured the scene with characteristic wit. He also remembered the 2010 grand final replay, when Heath Shaw smothered Nick Riewoldt’s near-certain goal with a line that framed the moment perfectly: “He came up behind him like a librarian, he never heard him.”
Among the memories that stand out is the post when Richmond defender Darren Gaspar charged toward goal and struck the post, prompting Cometti’s gem, “Gaspar, the unfriendly post!”
McGuire added that Cometti’s value went beyond quick one-liners; his deep love for the game shone through in every broadcast.
Gerard Healy, a Brownlow Medalist who worked with Cometti at Seven, lauded him as one of the very best who could turn good moments into memorable ones and elevate great moments to lasting legends.
Cometti’s contributions were recognized widely: he was a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and awarded the Order of Australia. His professionalism remained evident even as broadcast rights shifted among networks. Whether Seven, Nine, or later ABC’s coverage of cricket, Olympic events, or VFL games, Cometti’s presence was a reliable anchor. He commentated on 51 football seasons across three networks, with a long-running association with Seven and Nine, plus a year with the ABC during the late 1980s.
AFL Chief Executive Andrew Dillon called the news a sad day for football and extended the league’s condolences to Cometti’s family and friends. Dillon emphasized that Cometti brought the game to life with his voice, and that his influence would be felt by players, colleagues, and fans alike for years to come.
Cometti’s catalog of iconic lines—fondly known as Cometti-isms—has become part of football folklore, accompanying many of the sport’s most unforgettable moments. Fans still recall his call when Geelong’s Tom Hawkins nailed an after-the-siren goal to seal a win over Hawthorn in 2008, including the memorable run, “The Cat is still on the back.” Earlier in that game, he humorously captured Hawthorn’s Matthew Suckling allowing a collision between teammates, a moment etched in Cats’ memories.
His suspenseful description of Tom Boyd’s long-range effort in the 2016 drought-breaking triumph of the Western Bulldogs remains a highlight for many viewers. That match would prove to be his final TV commentary stint, though he continued to call games in Western Australia for Triple M through to the 2021 grand final in Perth.
Although best known for football, Cometti also lent his voice to cricket, partnering with Alan McGilvray on the ABC for 13 years, beginning with his first Test at age 23—the youngest in the broadcaster’s history. He later joined Seven’s cricket team for the 1997 series in South Africa.
An accomplished footballer, Cometti played 40 games for West Perth, spent time on Footscray’s list in 1971 without a senior appearance, and coached West Perth from 1982 to 1984, guiding the club to top finishes.
With immense regard across the sport, his colleagues remember him as a pioneering broadcaster, a passionate student of the game, and a colleague who elevated every moment he covered. He leaves behind a legacy that lives on in the way fans, players, and fellow commentators experience football today.
By Peter Ryan
