Biography of Dennis Cometti
Dennis Cometti was born on March 26, 1949, in Geraldton, Western Australia. He grew up in a family with strong cultural roots. His father was the son of Italian migrants from Lombardy, Italy, while his mother had English ancestry. His grandfather, Giovanni Cometti, moved to Australia to work on the Western Australian Goldfields.
Dennis faced hardship early in life. His father died suddenly when Dennis was still a teenager. Despite this loss, he remained determined and focused on building a future in football and media.
Standing 190 centimeters tall, Cometti first made his mark as a football player. He played for West Perth in the West Australian Football League (WAFL) between 1967 and 1971. During his playing career, he appeared in 38 matches and kicked 70 goals.
Over time, however, it became clear that his greatest talent was not just on the field, but behind the microphone.
Dennis Cometti passed away in March 2026 in Perth, Western Australia, at the age of 76. His death marked the end of an era in Australian sports broadcasting.
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Career
Dennis Cometti’s career spanned an incredible 51 years, from 1967 to 2021. Few broadcasters in Australia can match the length and impact of his professional life.
Early Playing and Coaching Career
Cometti’s football journey began as a player for West Perth. His best season was in 1968, when he kicked 63 goals under the coaching of Graham Farmer. Farmer once praised him as a young player with the ability and agility of a rover, even though he was well over six feet tall.
In 1971, Cometti joined Footscray’s senior list in the Victorian Football League (VFL), but injuries and media commitments prevented him from playing a senior match.
After returning to Perth, he became captain-coach at Maddington. Under his leadership, the team reached four straight grand finals and won premierships in 1974, 1975, and 1976. Later, he coached Osborne Park and Kelmscott, winning another premiership in 1979.
In 1982, he became coach of West Perth. Although the club showed promise, his coaching career did not last long. Soon after, he focused entirely on broadcasting.
Radio Career
Cometti began his media career in 1968 as a Top-40 disc jockey at radio station 6KY in Perth. He later worked at other stations, including 3DB in Melbourne and 6PR in Perth.
In 1971, he called his first football match—a state game between Western Australia and Victoria. From that moment, his broadcasting journey truly began.
In 1972, he joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), where he focused on sports commentary. At just 23 years old, he became the youngest commentator in ABC history to broadcast a Test cricket match. He worked alongside famous cricket voices such as Alan McGilvray.
Television Career
Cometti joined the Seven Network in 1986. His move came at the same time the West Coast Eagles entered the VFL competition. Over the next 15 years, he became one of the most recognized voices in Australian football.
He later worked for the Nine Network from 2002 to 2006. During this period, he won the Australian Football Media Association television broadcaster of the year award five times. In total, he won the award eleven times during his career.
In 2007, he returned to the Seven Network, where he continued calling AFL matches alongside Bruce McAvaney. He called 16 AFL Grand Finals, an extraordinary achievement.
His final AFL television broadcast was the 2016 Grand Final. However, he continued calling games on Triple M radio until 2021. His final commentary was at the 2021 AFL Grand Final in Perth.
Dennis Cometti was the only television broadcaster to span the entire duration of the AFL national competition across multiple networks.
Olympic and Cricket Commentary
Cometti also commentated at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996), and Sydney (2000). By the time he retired, he had broadcast more Australian Olympic gold medals than any other television commentator.
He also called 51 Test cricket matches for the Packer radio network, working with legends such as Richie Benaud and Tony Greig.
“Comettiisms”
Dennis Cometti became famous for his clever and humorous one-liners, often called “Comettiisms.” His quick wit made fans laugh even during tense matches.
Some of his most memorable lines included:
“There is no footy god—only a footy accountant.”
“Never moon a werewolf.”
“9.2, that’s not bad. Unless it’s your cholesterol.”
These quotes became part of Australian football culture and remain widely shared even after his retirement.
Personal Life
Dennis Cometti was married to his wife Velia. The couple had two children: a daughter named Ricki, born in 1979, and a son named Mark, born in 1983.
Mark later became a professional wrestler in Orlando, Florida, where he was known as “The Outback Silverback.”
Cometti also explored his family roots in an episode of the television series Who Do You Think You Are? He traced his father’s Italian ancestry and discovered connections to English convicts on his mother’s side.
He was widely respected not only as a broadcaster but also as a family man and mentor to younger commentators.
Cause of Death
Dennis Cometti died in March 2026 in Perth, Western Australia. He was 76 years old at the time of his death.
As of the most recent public information, no specific cause of death has been officially detailed in public reports. His passing was described as recent, and tributes quickly poured in from across the sports community.
His death marked the end of a legendary chapter in Australian sports broadcasting.
Age and Net Worth
Dennis Cometti was born on March 26, 1949, and died in March 2026 at age 76.
Over a 51-year career in radio, television, publishing, and video games, he built a successful professional life. While exact figures are not publicly confirmed, his long-term contracts with major networks such as Seven Network, Nine Network, and Triple M suggest that he accumulated significant wealth.
In addition to broadcasting, he authored several books, including Centimetre Perfect: The Classic Commentary and That’s Ambitious: More Classic Commentary. He also served as the voice of AFL video games from 2004 to 2017.
Though exact numbers are not officially published, his net worth is believed to have been in the multi-million-dollar range.
Family
Dennis Cometti came from a culturally rich background with Italian, English, and French ancestry. His grandfather migrated from Lombardy, Italy, to Australia.
He was married to Velia and was a proud father of two children. His son Mark even worked alongside him in later years as a statistician during radio broadcasts.
Family was an important part of Cometti’s life, and he often balanced his demanding broadcasting schedule with home life in Perth.
Conclusion
Dennis Cometti was more than a commentator. He was the voice of Australian football for generations. From his early days as a WAFL player to his legendary AFL Grand Final calls, he shaped how fans experienced the game.
His wit, intelligence, and calm delivery set him apart. Over 51 years, he covered football, cricket, and Olympic events, earning awards and national honors, including being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Dennis Cometti’s passing in March 2026 closed a remarkable chapter in sports history. Yet his voice, his humor, and his famous “Comettiisms” will live on in the memories of fans across Australia.
FAQs
How old was Dennis Cometti when he died?
Dennis Cometti was 76 years old when he passed away in March 2026.
What was Dennis Cometti famous for?
He was famous for being an Australian rules football commentator known for his humor, wit, and memorable one-liners.
How many AFL Grand Finals did Dennis Cometti call?
He commentated 16 AFL Grand Finals during his career.
Did Dennis Cometti play football?
Yes, he played for West Perth in the WAFL between 1967 and 1971 before becoming a coach and broadcaster.
What were “Comettiisms”?
“Comettiisms” were his clever and humorous one-liners that became iconic in Australian football commentary.
Peter Charles is a journalist and writer who covers battery-material recycling, urban mining, and the growing use of microreactors in industry. With 10 years of experience in industrial reporting, he explains new technologies and industry changes in clear, simple terms. He holds both a BSc and an MSc in Electrical Engineering, which gives him the technical knowledge to report accurately and insightfully on these topics.
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