RIP Dennis Cometti

[The Feeder Club]

Magnificent caller.

Outside of his legendary one liners, he also told one of my favourite footy stories of all time, about when he became coach of West Perth in the WAFL.

The outgoing coach that Dennis was succeeding wishes him all the best, and hands him two envelopes. telling him they contain critical advice about what you do when things aren't going to plan.

Halfway through the season, West Perth have a run of bad losses and Dennis out of curiosity opens the first envelope, which reads "freshen things up. Send your fullback to full forward and your full forward to fullback"

A few weeks later, things are no better and in desperation he opens the next envelope, which reads "prepare two envelopes"

RIP Cometti

 

[Shuestar13]

Really sad news.

People will talk about his one liners and professional approach to calling but the thing which just hits so hard about this is particularly for people growing up in WA in the 90s and 00s he had such an instantly recognisable, warm voice which was always there when you were watching sport or the news. He was part of all of our childhoods and part of so many instantly memorable moments.

And as well as being exceptionally knowledgeble and well prepared he never seemed to get upset or angry, never made it about him was always positive and always tried to avoid criticising players, coaches or umps. You could tell he was never interested in attacking people or creating cheap headlines, what stood out every time he picked up a microphone was he loved footy and loved talking about it.

I don't know if he was anything like that in real life but after listening to him for decades he felt like someone everyone knew and trusted and would have been happy to have a beer with as if he were a part of everyone's extended family.

Which is why this is so sad. ****.

I hope someone gives Bruce a hug today, he probably needs it.

Brilliant post. A constant behind the microphone of our (WCE) games. And his Monday night chats with Mick (or Michael as he always respectfully called him).

Devastated

 

[HigginsHawk]

His call of Kieran Perkins gold medal is one of my favourite all time calls in sport. He was the GOAT.

 

[brutus76]

RIP Dennis

You were "centimetre perfect"

 

[ozzz]

His funeral will 'attract a crowd'.

I still remember years ago when St.Kilda's Jason Gram had his shorts ripped off, without missing a beat, Dennis quipped,

"Ah, Strip-a-gram"

 

[GoldbergsGold]

 

[jezzajay]

RIP legend!!! Thank you!!

 

[FrankDrebin]

Not many commentators have a near unanimous approval rating like Dennis had. Always sounded like so many of his classic lines were thought up as the action unfolded. Unlike someone like Huddo who you can tell he's been thinking about and practicing a line in the shower all week that he can shoe-in at some point.

 

[Toump Ass]

 

[joe444]

Man. 76?

It's more distressing than I thought I would have felt.

The voices of childhood (aka Lou Richards) passing are always a bit sobering.

To have touched so many lives and to have lived such an amazing one is truly "remarkable".

 

[Lingsface]

RIP Dennis. Thanks for all the memories a truly great legacy that deserves the highest recognition possible in our sport.

 

[JackFlash]

Very saddened to hear this news, possibly the greatest caller of Australian Rules Football of all time?

 

[Makka]

Really sad. One of the best commentators ever.

 

[Plugger35]

A great footy commentator and sports commentator in general, also played and coached in the WAFL so he had all bases covered

 

[Corkintheocean]

Farewell to a genuine sporting icon, a genuine human being and someone who left an indelible impact on me falling in love with both football and the spoken word.

I'm as proud to have your words as my username as I am saddened to hear of your passing.

Vale Dennis

 

[Orange crush]

I mean, 7 had Dennis then replaced him with Brian Taylor…ultimate chocolates to boiled lollies scenario

Good call …. Centimeter perfect

Penthouse to shithouse

 

[RAPPA]

Another of the shrinking brethren of good commentators departs.

 

[juss]

RIP.
A great for many years.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Ooft - that's a big one.

Dennis was cemented into my life with his 'Cork in the ocean' call of Peter Wilson's goal in the 92 GF.

Nobody ever did it better - he made the game more enjoyable to watch on TV, and I was especially lucky that he covered so many Eagles games in the 90s.

He lived locally when I worked as a Travel Agent in Nedlands many years ago, and popped into the store to quote some flights - I still cringe at how star struck I was as I fumbled through the consult. He was exactly how you'd imagine - wry, laid back and an air of class.

Farewell great man!

 

[justlookingaround]

"Last time I saw one like that he was manning the radar"

 

[Ed_Gein]

10, 20, 30 years from now when you look back at the games he did, everyone will synonyomise him with being the voice of the AFL during his time. (If I explained that right)

RIP Dennis.

 

[Shane_Mag]

Legend. R.I.P

 

[AndyLucimitis]

Who could forget the quivering voice of “Hall and Thorpe. Thorpe and Hall”

 

[Sprout]

Sad news. Icon gets thrown around pretty freely but he fits the bill.

 

[justlookingaround]

I’m sure there’s an aspect of localisation bias, but nowhere in world sports have I ever heard a funnier, more quick witted commentator, not just a couple hilarious calls through his career, but every single game he had a gem.