A legend lost, but his legacy lives on: Dennis Cometti's impact on sports commentary.
The passing of Dennis Cometti, a true icon in the world of sports broadcasting, has left an indelible mark on the AFL community and beyond. At 76, Cometti's journey as a sports commentator spanned an incredible five decades, leaving an unparalleled impact on the industry.
His deep, resonant voice, coupled with a unique brand of wit and descriptive prowess, made him an instant favorite among AFL fans. But Cometti's talents extended far beyond the gridiron; his linguistic skills were equally admired in cricket and other sports.
One of the most iconic partnerships in AFL commentary history was undoubtedly between Cometti and Bruce McAvaney. Their dynamic duo set new benchmarks for AFL coverage, becoming the gold standard for all future commentary teams.
But here's where it gets controversial: some argue that Cometti's impact on the game went beyond just his commentary. His unique style and memorable one-liners, known as 'Cometti-isms', have become an integral part of AFL folklore.
And this is the part most people miss: Cometti's journey to becoming a legendary commentator began on the football field. He had a solid career in the WAFL, playing and coaching for West Perth, and even had a brief stint with Footscray in the VFL.
His commentary style was characterized by signature phrases like 'centimetre perfect' and 'bobbing like a cork in the ocean', the latter coined during a memorable moment in West Coast's grand final victory in 1992.
Eddie McGuire, a noted broadcaster and long-serving president of Collingwood, described Cometti as 'a complete joy to work with'. McGuire praised Cometti's ability to capture the action, find the perfect words, and deliver those trademark lines that elevated his commentary to a global standard.
McGuire recalled Cometti's description of Ben Cousins, West Coast's champion, as 'Cousins runs away from Carr - not for the first time', a reference to a notorious incident involving Cousins.
Another memorable moment came in the 2010 grand final replay when Cometti described Heath Shaw's smothering of Nick Riewoldt's goal attempt: 'He came up behind him like a librarian, he never heard him.'
Cometti's impact extended to his colleagues as well. Brownlow medallist Gerard Healy, who worked with Cometti at Seven, described him as 'one of the best and a joy to work with'. Healy added, 'He turned good moments into great, and great moments into forever memorable.'
Cometti's talents were so revered that when broadcast rights shifted between networks, he was always assured of a leading role. He worked for ABC, Seven, Nine, 3AW, and Triple M, covering not just football and cricket but also the Olympics, and reading sport bulletins on television.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon expressed the league's condolences, saying, 'He brought our game to life with his commentary.' Dillon added that Cometti will be fondly remembered by all at the AFL, whether it's for his unique turn of phrase, his time as a player, or his impact as a colleague.
Cometti's famous one-liners have become an integral part of football's history, and his commentary has become the soundtrack to many of the game's most famous moments.
His exclamation, 'The Cat is still on the back', marking Tom Hawkins' after-the-siren goal for Geelong, remains a cherished memory for Cats supporters.
In a lighter moment, Cometti quipped that Matthew Suckling of Hawthorn had 'allowed two Geelong players to collide numerically', referring to Taylor Hunt and Steve Johnson's ill-fated tackle attempt.
Cometti's description of the moment leading up to Tom Boyd's long bomb goal in the 2016 Western Bulldogs' premiership capture the suspense and joy of that historic moment.
'How will it bounce? The stadium holds its breath. It's a goal. And the western suburbs erupt.'
While Cometti is best known for his football commentary, he also had a long and successful career in cricket commentary. He worked with the great Alan McGilvray on the ABC for 13 years, calling his first Test at just 23 years old, making him the youngest commentator in the public broadcaster's history.
Dennis Cometti's impact on sports commentary is undeniable. His unique style, memorable one-liners, and deep love for the game have left an indelible mark on the industry.
So, what do you think? Is Cometti's impact on AFL and sports commentary as significant as many believe? Or is his legacy overstated? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
