Australia Mourns the Death of Commentary Legend Dennis Cometti

Australian sports commentary icon Dennis Cometti has died at age 76.

The world of Australian sport is in mourning today, Wednesday, March 4, 2026, following the passing of the “Golden Voice” of football, Dennis Cometti. The legendary broadcaster and Australian Football Hall of Famer died in his hometown of Perth at the age of 76 after a courageous battle with illness.

His death marks the end of an era for the AFL community, where his velvet-smooth delivery and unmatched wit defined the soundtrack of the game for over five decades.

A Career Without Peer

Cometti’s journey from a Top-40 disc jockey in the 1960s to the most respected voice in sports media is a storied one. While he was a formidable player and coach for West Perth in the WAFL, it was behind the microphone where he became a household name.

• The Voice of AFL: Cometti spent the better part of 30 years at the Seven Network, most notably forming an “unbeatable” partnership with Bruce McAvaney.
• Multi-Sport Mastery: Beyond the footy field, Cometti was the youngest person to call Test cricket for the ABC at age 23 and provided the soundtrack to some of Australia’s greatest Olympic moments in the pool during the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Games.
• The Final Call: Though he retired from television in 2016, his final AFL broadcast was the 2021 Grand Final for Triple M, fittingly held at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The “Cometti-isms” That Defined a Language

Dennis wasn’t just a caller; he was a wordsmith. His “Cometti-isms”—dry, quick-witted one-liners—became part of the national lexicon. Fans across the country grew up waiting for his next linguistic gymnastics.

“He went in optimistically and came out misty-optically.” — On a player emerging from a heavy collision.

Classic Dennis One-Liners:

• “Centimetre perfect” (His most iconic phrase, used for a flawless kick).
• “He came up behind him like a librarian” (On a stealthy tackle).
• “Remember the name: Y-Z-E. Terrific young player, bad Scrabble hand.”
• “Collingwood know they’re in trouble. It’s like being in the bathtub with the Loch Ness Monster!”

Career Milestones & Honours

“I’ve Lost Something Truly Precious”: Tributes Pour In

The news has sparked an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans alike. Bruce McAvaney, his long-time partner in the booth, released a moving statement:

“On a personal level, I feel like I’ve lost something truly precious. We shared an extraordinary journey. Dennis was the benchmark—he had a gift for making footballers famous and making the game fun. He was, quite simply, the greatest our game has ever seen.”

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon also paid tribute, noting that a special documentary titled Centimetre Perfect—narrated by McAvaney—is scheduled to air later this year to celebrate his life and legacy.