Remembering those we recently lost
Helen Lewis planted a tree in their memory
Key moments and achievements from Dennis Cometti's life.
Dennis was born
· Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Career Achievement
Dennis Cometti played 38 matches and kicked 70 goals for West Perth in the Western Australian Football League between 1967 and 1971. His best season came as a 19-year-old in 1968, when he kicked 63 goals under the coaching of the legendary Graham "Polly" Farmer, before injuries cut his playing career short.
Career Achievement
Dennis Cometti played 38 matches and kicked 70 goals for West Perth in the Western Australian Football League between 1967 and 1971. His best season came as a 19-year-old in 1968, when he kicked 63 goals under the coaching of the legendary Graham "Polly" Farmer, before injuries cut his playing career short.
Career Achievement
In 1971, Cometti commentated his first football match, a state game between Western Australia and Victoria at Subiaco Oval. Having started his media career in 1968 as a Top 40 disc jockey at Perth radio station 6KY, this inaugural football broadcast marked the beginning of a 51-year career that would make him Australia's most beloved sports commentator.
Career Achievement
In 1971, Cometti commentated his first football match, a state game between Western Australia and Victoria at Subiaco Oval. Having started his media career in 1968 as a Top 40 disc jockey at Perth radio station 6KY, this inaugural football broadcast marked the beginning of a 51-year career that would make him Australia's most beloved sports commentator.
Career Achievement
Cometti joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1972, where he concentrated exclusively on sport. In 1973, at just 23 years old, he became the youngest cricket commentator in ABC history, broadcasting his first Test match. For the next 13 years he called Test cricket alongside the legendary Alan McGilvray while also covering football.
Career Achievement
Cometti joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1972, where he concentrated exclusively on sport. In 1973, at just 23 years old, he became the youngest cricket commentator in ABC history, broadcasting his first Test match. For the next 13 years he called Test cricket alongside the legendary Alan McGilvray while also covering football.
Career Achievement
Cometti returned to West Perth as senior coach for three seasons from 1982 to 1984, combining his broadcasting duties with coaching responsibilities. Though his coaching tenure was relatively brief, it demonstrated his deep tactical knowledge of Australian rules football that enriched his commentary for decades to come.
Career Achievement
Cometti returned to West Perth as senior coach for three seasons from 1982 to 1984, combining his broadcasting duties with coaching responsibilities. Though his coaching tenure was relatively brief, it demonstrated his deep tactical knowledge of Australian rules football that enriched his commentary for decades to come.
Career Achievement
In 1986, Cometti transitioned from the ABC to the Seven Network, beginning a new chapter in commercial television sports broadcasting. At Seven, he would cover three Summer Olympics—Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000—specializing in swimming and calling more Australian gold medals than any previous Australian television commentator.
Career Achievement
In 1986, Cometti transitioned from the ABC to the Seven Network, beginning a new chapter in commercial television sports broadcasting. At Seven, he would cover three Summer Olympics—Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000—specializing in swimming and calling more Australian gold medals than any previous Australian television commentator.
Won Award
During his stint at the Nine Network from 2002 to 2006, Cometti was voted the Australian Football Media Association's television broadcaster of the year in all five seasons. He also frequently dominated nationwide newspaper polls for fan popularity, cementing his status as the undisputed voice of Australian football.
Won Award
During his stint at the Nine Network from 2002 to 2006, Cometti was voted the Australian Football Media Association's television broadcaster of the year in all five seasons. He also frequently dominated nationwide newspaper polls for fan popularity, cementing his status as the undisputed voice of Australian football.
Won Award
When Perth's Optus Stadium opened in 2018, its media centre was named in honour of Dennis Cometti, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to sports broadcasting in Western Australia and nationally. The naming was a rare honour for a living sports broadcaster and reflected the deep affection in which he was held across the country.
Won Award
When Perth's Optus Stadium opened in 2018, its media centre was named in honour of Dennis Cometti, recognizing his extraordinary contribution to sports broadcasting in Western Australia and nationally. The naming was a rare honour for a living sports broadcaster and reflected the deep affection in which he was held across the country.
Won Award
In the 2019 Australia Day Honours, Cometti was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Australian rules football as a commentator. That same year he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, followed by induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Won Award
In the 2019 Australia Day Honours, Cometti was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to Australian rules football as a commentator. That same year he was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, followed by induction into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Career Achievement
In 2021, Cometti called his final AFL Grand Final, the Perth-staged match between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, before announcing his retirement from broadcasting. In the aftermath of that historic game, he was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame, capping a 51-year career as the voice of Australian football.
Career Achievement
In 2021, Cometti called his final AFL Grand Final, the Perth-staged match between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, before announcing his retirement from broadcasting. In the aftermath of that historic game, he was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame, capping a 51-year career as the voice of Australian football.
Dennis Cometti passed away
