RIP Dennis Cometti

[demondavey]

Unexpected at the speed of his decline, but not unexpected

What illness did he have?

 

[Supercoach Bargain]

One of the few commentators I liked.

Also seems to be a decent human being.

Condolences to his family.

 

[pablo668]

I actually cried out in shock while driving when I hear about this on the radio. The host who was friends with Dennis was struggling to stay composed and fair enough. He heard about it only minutes before the public.
He was easily the best commentator I ever heard.

 

[MF]

RIP Legend. Lifted the bar so high no one else has even come close IMO.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

There are not many endeavours in life where the second best are daylights. behind However, Dennis's footy commentating was so far ahead of anyone else they were not entitled to shine his shoes. RIP.

 

[ReturningHawk]

Easily the best commentator in the history of Australian sport. Will remember him fondly.

“The wheel’s still spinning but the hamster is dead”

 

[Ross]

What illness did he have?

Apparently he'd been dealing with Alzheimer's/dementia in the last year or two.

RIP Dennis.

 

[Andrew Mc]

One of the greats for sure. RIP Mr Cometti.

 

[Rotayjay]

The 2016 grand final fairytale was a fitting swansong for Cometti's grand finals, and so was his last passage of grand final commentary:

'He misses, but they don't miss out. Their day, their year, their joy.'

 

[Long Live HFC]

“Darling, fancied himself….shouldn’t have.”

 

[KennyHuntersBlues]

Very sad.

In Dennis, the AFL commentary team in heaven just gained its second member-to join Lou Richards (yes I know Lou had deficiencies but I grew up with him and he was so quintessentially Aussie Rules).

One day, Bruce will join them (hopefully not for a while) and heaven’s dream team will be complete.

Vale.

I would add Mike Williamson as well

 

[Jim Prideaux]

“He works well in tight spaces, like Ralph Fiennes” is one of the greatest comedic lines ever delivered.

 

[Lunchtime]

Some of you might remember the PlayStation 2 game AFL Live 2007. Cometti is the commentator and some/all of his one liners from that game are here - click on link below:

Badlightstoppedplay-Commettisms 2007

he's at it early this year; after Kangaroos youngster Matthew(?) Campbell ducked and weaved his way past a couple of Magpies to set up a goal : "Campb

www.tapatalk.com

 

[Rod Stroker]

 

[Lavender Bushranger]

It's funny how he managed to deliver such quality commentary without giving anyone the shits. People love to hate commentators, but I don't know if I've come across anyone that hated Dennis Commetti. That alone is borderline impossible.
But to also be able to be legitimately funny without trying too hard and making about himself was a legitimate gift.

As big as a part of the game he became himself, he never injected himself into it.

Respect.

Honestly I wonder if that combination of skill as a caller, likeability and wit will ever happen again in AFL footy?

I honestly don't think so.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

The greatest.

A legend of the golden era, Dennis, Bruce, Sandy, Drew.. we were spoilt for choice.

Excelled at the Olympics also amongst other events.

Devastating news

Yep.

This is my 4 too.

The big 4 of my childhood.

 

[pablo668]

Apparently he'd been dealing with Alzheimer's/dementia in the last year or two.

RIP Dennis.

Gah! I was hoping it wasn't that. My dad has dementia, and it sucks. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

 

[Lunchtime]

Apparently he'd been dealing with Alzheimer's/dementia in the last year or two.

RIP Dennis.

Really?? That's so sad

 

[Quinten Kennedy]

Voice of my childhood.

How good we had it.

 

[icyflakes]

Everyone has their own game they connect him with.

For me, "and the western suburbs erupt" had me in tears the first time I heard it - eating maccas while aggressively hungover, watching highlights after going to the game the day before.

Loved him and Bruce together. So glad Dennis hung up his boots when he did, commentary has been going downhill since. He was a true professional, and had the fun side without making it about him.

 

[raskolnikov]

Loved his football commentary but his most memorable commentary for me was his commentating of the men's 4 x 100 freestyle relay at the Sydney Olympics.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Apparently he'd been dealing with Alzheimer's/dementia in the last year or two.

RIP Dennis.

Christ that is sobering. Of all the people.

If that is correct and Dennis chose to deal with it privately then I would hope the media don't splash that all over the news against his wishes - absolutely nothing to be ashamed of obviously, that insidious disease does not play favourites, but if anyone is a man best remembered for his sharp mind and quick wit it is Cometti.

 

[Lingsface]

Hall of Fame legend, I think so. His contribution has been huge to the game.

 

[NewkTheLot]

You know until today I had no idea what age Dennis was.

His voice was just… there in so many of the moments I grew up with, and I can hear it right now, whether he was calling the footy or calling the Olympics.

Rest easy Dennis. You were one of a kind.

 

[Irish BlueBagger]

Very sad news and to me as an international fan of footy Dennis (along with Bruce McAvaney) stood out as being the voice of the sport. The way he went about his business and standard of his commentary etc, just helped to sell the sport of AFL footy to me and how awesome a sport it actually is.

Even to non AFL fans his voice would've been known to people in Ireland due to him commentating on international rules games between the Irish and the Aussies over the years.

The modern-day commentators just fall well short of the standard he set. I don't think that statement is hyperbole either. I suppose it's a testament to how good he was at what he did.

Vale and rest easy Dennis Cometti.