Dennis Cometti to be farewelled at Optus Stadium next month
Famous AFL commentator Dennis Cometti will be honored with a state funeral at Western Australia’s Optus Stadium next month.
Cometti, who died last month aged 76, was remembered as one of the greatest sports callers, whose deep voice and quick wit were used in broadcasts that expanded beyond football to include cricket and even the Olympics.
A number of sports and media stars paid tribute to the West Australian last month, with many fondly recalling his memorable words, including famous phrases such as “centimetre-perfect” and “bobbing like a cork in the ocean”.
WA Premier Roger Cook announced on Sunday that a public memorial service for Cometti would be held at Optus Stadium’s River View Rooms on Monday, May 4, from 2.30pm, and the public is invited to attend.
“Dennis Cometti was a Western Australian legend and one of the most respected voices in sport,” Cook said.
“It is a privilege to hold a memorial service in his honor and give West Australians the opportunity to say goodbye.”
Cometti’s connections to Western Australian football run deep. He played for West Perth in the WAFL, returning to manage the club in 1982 and leading the West Coast Eagles to their first premiership in 1992.
The media center at Optus Stadium is also named in Cometti’s honour.
Cometti was awarded the Order of Australia in 2019 and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2020 and joined the WA Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
His media career spanned nearly five decades and saw him cover the AFL, Test cricket and the Olympic games, memorably naming the 4x100m freestyle relay in Sydney, Australia.
When his TV broadcasting career ended in 2016 he continued in Radio and the last football game he called was the AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium in Perth in 2021 for Triple M.
Following the news of Cometti’s death last month, long-time Seven employee Bruce McAvaney said: “Perhaps the most impressive thing about Dennis is that he made footballers famous through his profession. It’s a gift.”
“Dennis and I began our careers as colleagues but ended as friends, and for that I am so grateful,” McAveney said.
Citizens wishing to attend the state commemoration are encouraged to register through the WA government’s dedicated website before April 21.
Start your day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
