Basil Zempilas Leads Heartfelt Tributes to Dennis Cometti After Broadcaster's Death at 76
Basil Zempilas has delivered an emotional tribute to the legendary commentator Dennis Cometti, following the sad news of his passing at the age of 76. Tributes have been pouring in rapidly for Cometti, who enjoyed a Hall of Fame career, primarily commentating on the AFL and Olympics, among various other sports.
A Strong Bond Forged Through Shared Roots
Zempilas and Cometti worked together at Channel 7, where they quickly formed a strong bond, united by their pride as Western Australians and former players for the West Perth football club. Zempilas, who now serves as the WA state opposition leader, remembered Cometti as the absolute best in his field.
"The thing with Den was he was so incredibly gifted, he was the best of his kind at his craft," Zempilas stated on Wednesday. "That brought him such love and respect, not only in Western Australia and we all felt so proud of Den." He added that Cometti felt like a local hero who dominated on the national stage, with the community sharing in his success.
Unmatched Work Ethic and Natural Talent
Zempilas highlighted that a key factor in Cometti's success was his incredible work ethic, which he described as unmatched in the broadcasting industry. "The true essence of Dennis as a broadcaster was he was incredibly gifted, he had that magnificent voice. He had that great knowledge and incredible skill to be able to call the moment as he saw it," he explained.
He emphasized that beyond his natural talents, Cometti possessed a remarkable dedication to his work. "He worked harder than anybody else. He didn't just rely on his natural instincts and talents, he also had that work ethic to match and that's what sets him apart." Zempilas noted that Bruce McAvaney, another iconic commentator, has publicly stated that no one has ever called Australian football as well as Cometti did, which stands as a significant accolade.
A Lasting Friendship and Mentorship
Zempilas and Cometti first met in the early 1990s, bonding over their shared background at West Perth and their career aspirations in broadcasting. They collaborated at Channel 7 intermittently over the next 25 years. "I first met Den when I was 19 or 20, and playing footy at West Perth and had aspirations to become a broadcaster and Den was a broadcaster who played footy at West Perth and our paths crossed," Zempilas recalled.
He described Cometti as a mentor and friend, noting the excitement of working alongside him. "To see Dennis walk into the newsroom every afternoon ... it was like one of the Beetles had walked in, had a similar haircut as well, he laughed about his own haircut a lot." Zempilas expressed gratitude for having Cometti as a colleague, mentor, and ultimately a close friend.
Bruce McAvaney Joins in Honoring Cometti's Legacy
Bruce McAvaney also paid tribute to his legendary co-commentator, reflecting on the joy Cometti brought to audiences. "When I think about Dennis, one of the first things I think about is the amount of joy he brought to all of our lives," McAvaney said. He praised Cometti's unique and authentic legacy, stating that he set a benchmark for future commentators.
McAvaney emphasized Cometti's ability to make footballers famous through his commentary, calling it a true gift. On a personal level, he expressed deep loss, noting their journey from colleagues to friends. "While Dennis and I started our careers as colleagues, we ended as friends and I am so grateful for that."
The sports broadcasting community and fans alike are mourning the loss of Dennis Cometti, whose voice and insights left an indelible mark on Australian sports culture.
