Australia Mourns Dennis Cometti, the Broadcaster Behind Generations of Unforgettable Sporting Moments

 Dennis Cometti, one of Australia’s recognizable sports broadcasters, died in March 2026 at age 76, bringing an end to a broadcasting career that stretched across more than five decades. His voice became associated with Australian rules football, through his television work, but his career extended well beyond the football commentary box. Family confirmation of his death prompted tributes from across Australian sport and media, reflecting the reach of a broadcaster whose work accompanied generations of fans.

Cometti began his broadcasting career in Perth radio in 1968 and joined the ABC in 1972. During his years with the broadcaster, he called Test cricket and built a reputation across several sports before moving to Seven in 1986 to focus on Australian football. He later worked across sporting events and also called three Summer Olympics, in Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000. His range helped establish him as a broadcaster beyond one sport.

Although Cometti covered cricket, the Olympics, swimming and other competitions, football became the part of his career most closely identified with his name. His AFL commentary was distinguished by a combination of detailed knowledge, timing, humor and inventive descriptions. Phrases associated with his calls became part of football culture, including “centimetre perfect.” His ability to turn an ordinary passage of play into a memorable piece of storytelling helped make his broadcasts familiar to viewers across Australia.

Cometti also became closely associated with fellow commentator Bruce McAvaney, with whom he formed a celebrated partnership during major football broadcasts for the Seven Network. The pair worked together on hundreds of matches, including Grand Finals, and their contrasting styles became a defining feature of Australian football television. Cometti’s final television game was the 2016 AFL Grand Final, while his final radio call came at the 2021 Grand Final between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, after which he retired.

His achievements were formally recognized during his lifetime. Cometti was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2019 and inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame that same year. In 2020, he was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Before broadcasting became his profession, he had also been a player with West Perth in the WAFL, appearing in 40 matches before injuries ended his playing ambitions. He later coached the club at senior level.

After his death, colleagues and sporting figures described the scale of his contribution to Australian broadcasting. A state memorial service was held at Perth’s Optus Stadium in May 2026, bringing together family, football figures, politicians and former media colleagues. The venue carried particular significance because it was where Cometti called his last football game. Tributes focused not only on his commentary ability, but also on his generosity, humor, professionalism and connection with people away from the microphone.

Dennis Cometti leaves behind a broadcasting legacy built through decades of preparation, distinctive storytelling and an unmistakable presence on Australian sport. For viewers who heard him call football, cricket and major international events, his voice became part of the memories attached to those occasions. His career helped shape how many Australians experienced important sporting moments from home. Long after the final call, recordings, phrases and memories will continue to preserve the contribution of a broadcaster whose work became woven into the country’s sporting culture.