Dennis John Cometti

Dennis John Cometti, a revered figure in Australian sports broadcasting, passed away on March 4, 2026, at the age of 76. Known for his distinctive baritone voice, sharp wit, and memorable "Cometti-isms," he left an indelible mark on Australian rules football and other sports. His career spanned over five decades, making him one of the nation's most beloved and respected commentators. Cometti's passing in Perth, Western Australia, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the sporting community.

Born in Geraldton, Western Australia, on March 26, 1949, Dennis Cometti's journey into media began in 1968 as a Top 40 disc jockey on Perth radio station 6KY. This early foray into radio laid the groundwork for a versatile career that would eventually see him transition from music to sports. Before fully committing to broadcasting, Cometti also pursued a career in Australian rules football, playing 38 games and kicking 70 goals for West Perth in the WAFL between 1967 and 1971. He later coached West Perth from 1982 to 1984, demonstrating his deep connection to the game both on and off the field.

Cometti's broadcasting prowess truly blossomed when he joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) in 1972. At just 23, he became the youngest broadcaster in ABC history to call a Test cricket match in 1973, a role he held for 13 years alongside the legendary Alan McGilvray. His smooth delivery and insightful commentary quickly set him apart. In 1986, he moved to the Seven Network, where he would become synonymous with Australian rules football, covering the AFL from its national inception in 1990.

Over three decades, Cometti's voice became the soundtrack to countless iconic AFL moments. He called 16 AFL Grand Finals on television, with his final TV broadcast in 2016. His unique ability to blend meticulous preparation with spontaneous, witty observations earned him widespread acclaim. Phrases like "centimetre perfect" and "he came up on him like a librarian, he never heard him" became affectionately known as "Cometti-isms," embedding themselves into the lexicon of Australian sport. He was consistently recognized for his excellence, being voted Television Caller of the Year by the Australian Football Media Association a record 11 times.

Beyond football, Cometti's versatility extended to covering three Summer Olympic Games for the Seven Network in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000), where he notably called more Australian gold medal wins than any previous commentator. He also contributed to radio stations like 3AW and Triple M, and wrote sports columns for The West Australian newspaper. His final broadcast was the 2021 AFL Grand Final for Triple M, marking the conclusion of a remarkable 53-year career in media.

Dennis Cometti's immense contributions to Australian sport were formally recognized with numerous accolades. In 2019, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to broadcast media as a sports presenter and to the community. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2020. The media centre at Perth Stadium was named the 'Dennis Cometti Media Centre' in his honour in 2018, a testament to his enduring legacy. Cometti will be remembered not just for his voice, but for the joy and insight he brought to generations of sports fans.