AFL commentary icon Dennis Cometti has passed away, aged 76.
The news was confirmed on Wednesday morning, after a battle with illness.
Cometti is most known for his football commentary at Channel 7, where he worked for 24 years across two separate stints, forming a compelling commentary partnership with Bruce McAvaney.
“Dennis was an absolute pleasure to work with in the commentary box,” said Zero Hanger managing editor Mark Stevens, who worked with Cometti at Channel 7 from 2013-2016.
“As a newspaper person, trying to learn the art of TV, he could not have been more supportive. His gags and at times cynical view of the world delivered in quarter time breaks was sometimes even more entertaining than his commentary.”
His television commentary finished with a bang in 2016 as part of the host broadcast of the Western Bulldogs drought-breaking premiership.
It was a fitting farewell, with Cometti a senior listed player for the Bulldogs in 1971.
He also commentated Olympic and other sports during his time at Channel 7, ABC, Triple M and Channel 9, with his commentary career concluding in 2021 after 51 years.
His wit, dry humour, distinctive voice and deep understanding of sport and bringing stories to life made him a favourite among Australian football fans for generations.
Channel 7 is currently in the process of producing a documentary about Cometti, Centimetre Perfect.
Denis Cometti best commentary lines
"It came up behind him like a librarian. He never heard him. It surprised everyone else in the library of shouting.”
Arguably Cometti's most memorable call that brought together all the traits he will be remembered for. Lifted a significant moment in Collingwood's 2010 grand final replay victory into folklore, with the line quickly entering Australian sporting vernacular.
One call lives forever in Collingwood folklore — the Heath Shaw smother in the 2010 GF Replay.
“He came up behind him like a librarian…”
In one line, Dennis Cometti captured the desperation and will of a premiership.
Rest in peace, Dennis. 🕊️🖤🤍 pic.twitter.com/bZ6Tbjqka1
— RCCS 16x 🐧🏆 (@RCCSSocial) March 4, 2026
"Centimetre perfect"
A line that is so synonymous with Cometti, Channel 7's documentary about him has been given that name. Delivered it regularly enough for it to become his trademark, but not so much that when it came, the meaning and beauty was diluted.
"Tom Boyd goes long. How will it bounce? The stadium holds its breath. It's a goal! And the Western suburbs erupt."
The perfect footnote to Cometti's television broadcast career. The club waited 62 years for second premiership and Cometti's thoughtful prose when the winning goal was kicked added perfect context and energy to the most important moment of the season in his last game in the Channel 7 commentary box.
Rest In Peace, Dennis.
Thank you for joy you brought to the living room of every football fan for generations. pic.twitter.com/LTUEkudy1x
— The Salty Bulldog🎙 (@TheSaltyBulldog) March 4, 2026
"Like a cork in the ocean."
Closely follows ‘centimetre perfect' as Cometti's most iconic line. An expression used occasionally in boat speak, Cometti applied it to Australian rules football perfectly.
"It's a main event in any stadium in the world. Jetta pursued by Rioli. Rioli can't go with him! Jetta wins the gold medal!”
Two speedsters of the 2010s went for a 100-metre run up the wing, with Cometti taking that theme and delivering an instant classic in a match contested between two of the best teams of the generation.
"Remember the name: Y-Z-E – terrific young player, bad Scrabble hand."
One of dozens of showcases of how Cometti was able to think beyond the confines of footy to amuse his viewers, highlighting his calmness and preparation in the commentary box.
"Carr was just poleaxed by his own team-mate. Does that qualify as Croad rage?"
A spontaneous line that proved Cometti had commentary wit that can't be taught. Josh Carr and Trent Croad collided, with Cometti seizing on the chance to think outside the box and deliver a perfect line without a moment's hesitation.
"He entered the pack optimistically and emerged misty optically."
A line that showed the intelligent grasp Cometti had on the English language. Players entering a contest hopeful of emerging with the footy before struggling to see happens several times per game, but only Cometti has picked up on a clever play on words capable of elevating such a mundane moment into footy folklore.
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