Australian sports commentary legend Dennis Cometti has passed away at the age of 76, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's sporting landscape. Born in Geraldton, Western Australia, Cometti's career in the media industry spanned an impressive 53 years, from 1968 to 2021. His final AFL match commentary was the 2021 Grand Final for Triple M, a radio station he joined in 2012 after stints at 3AW and the ABC. Cometti's exceptional calling ability, particularly in Australian rules football, has earned him a special place in AFL history. His memorable calls of famous modern-day moments in the sport are etched in the hearts of fans. Cometti also played 38 games and kicked 70 goals during his five-year career at West Perth in the WAFL between 1967 and 1971. In 2020, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame, and his legacy is further honored in the Melbourne Cricket Club and AFMA Halls of Fame. Cometti's media commitments also extended to Footscray, though he never played a VFL game due to injury and his increasing media workload. A special documentary, 'Centimetre Perfect', celebrating his career, was set to be released this year, paying homage to one of his memorable one-liners. The AFL's chief executive, Andrew Dillon, praised Cometti's commentary, particularly his call of the 2016 Grand Final between the Western Bulldogs and Sydney, which ended a 62-year premiership drought. Dillon noted, 'Dennis’ call of that amazing game was simply perfect... We are privileged that so much of his greatest work is available for all fans.' Cometti's passing marks the end of an era in Australian sports commentary, leaving a void that will be difficult to fill.
