Legendary Broadcaster Dennis Cometti to Be Honoured in Special Documentary Centimetre Perfect
A decade after hanging up his headset at Channel 7, the legendary sports commentator Dennis Cometti will be celebrated in a new documentary titled Centimetre Perfect, named after one of his most memorable one-liners. For generations, Cometti's voice provided the soundtrack to Australia's biggest sporting moments as a staple of the Seven Network.
A Storied Career in Broadcasting
Cometti began his career as a radio announcer in Perth in 1968, and over the next four decades, he called thousands of iconic sporting events across AFL, WAFL, and Olympic games, where he specialised in swimming. His call of Kieren Perkins' 'rare gold' victory in the 1500m final at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, as an underdog in lane 8, remains one of the nation's most cherished sporting moments.
For most Australians, football and Cometti were inseparable, like a pie and sauce, with his commentary defining the sport for decades. It has been ten years since Cometti last called an AFL game on television, concluding his career after the 2016 grand final, when the Western Bulldogs ended a 62-year premiership drought. This match was particularly emotional for Cometti, who spent 1971 on the Bulldogs' list and always retained a soft spot for the team.
Insights from a Commentary Great
Few know Cometti better than fellow Channel 7 commentary legend Bruce McAvaney, with the pair having called approximately 450 AFL matches together. McAvaney expressed that sports fans, especially footy supporters, will appreciate the documentary's reflection on Cometti's unparalleled contributions.
"There's so much affection and respect for him. We haven't heard him for a decade in the national AFL coverage on Seven, so it's been a while, and people who listened to him over the years are going to love it because we all enjoy nostalgia," McAvaney told The West Australian. "We know how much joy he brought to the game. He's a unique person and a unique commentator, so I think ten years is a lovely punctuation mark to reflect on his enormous impact on sports broadcasting in our country."
McAvaney emphasised that Cometti is not just any broadcaster but a Hall of Famer who pioneered a distinctive style. "We're talking about someone who has pioneered a style of broadcasting. So we're not just talking about anybody; we're talking about someone very special," he added.
The Art of Commentary
While famous for his witty one-liners, known as Cometti-isms, McAvaney highlighted that it was Cometti's deep knowledge of the game that made him exceptional. "You have to understand the nuances of the game, and he played it at a high level, coached it at a high level, and really did get football. He could read the game as well as anybody," McAvaney explained.
He noted that Cometti developed a unique, quirky, and humorous style that set him apart. "He perfected this style which was quirky and humorous, using words at the right time in a way different from anyone else. He created a conversation around his commentary, making people laugh and marvel at his cleverness."
Centimetre Perfect is set to be broadcast on Seven and 7plus later this year, offering fans a nostalgic look back at the career of one of Australia's most beloved sports commentators.
