Bruce McAvaney Delivers Emotional Tribute to Dennis Cometti
Legendary Channel 7 broadcaster Bruce McAvaney has paid an emotional tribute to his great friend and peer, Dennis Cometti, following the public announcement on Wednesday of Cometti's passing at the age of 76. Tributes have been flowing from far and wide, but mourners, friends, and fans were particularly waiting to hear from McAvaney, who, alongside Cometti, was the face of Seven's AFL coverage between 2007 and 2016.
A Rare Chemistry That Defined an Era
It was during this period that McAvaney and Cometti reached their peak, developing a rare chemistry that was thrilling, captivating, and fuelled by Cometti's sharp wit. Together, they became icons not just of AFL, but of sports commentary in Australia, forming a double-act that remains unmatched in the nation's sporting landscape. Cometti spent a total of 26 years at the Seven Network, from 1986 to 2001 and again from 2007 until his final match, the 2016 AFL grand final on October 1.
McAvaney emphasized that their relationship transcended professional boundaries, stating, "We started as colleagues and finished as friends. Can you ask for any more than that?" He described Cometti as his ultimate teammate, highlighting their close bond and shared journey. "We were very close. We shared a common journey, similar age. We were both, I think, vulnerable to so many things together and we backed one another up," McAvaney told 7NEWS.
Inside the Iconic Partnership
McAvaney revealed that while they approached broadcasting differently, both prepared diligently, which allowed them to understand each other's styles deeply. "He knew what made me tick, and I think I knew certainly what made him tick," he said. Their preparation included staying in the same hotel for a decade and holding regular Saturday morning conferences to compare notes. "I'll never forget those mornings. And his wisdom, his insights and that relationship I shared with him, it's very precious," McAvaney added.
Cometti was famous for his iconic and out-of-the-box calls, such as "centimetre perfect" and "like a cork in the ocean, over his head," which have become part of football folklore. When asked about his favourite, McAvaney cited "Ablett to Bartell to Corey, they're doing it alphabetically," showcasing Cometti's unique wit. McAvaney credited Cometti with making him a better broadcaster, noting, "His was a type of broadcasting, a type of commentary that was very different to mine, and it really opened my eyes to a lot of things."
A Legacy of Authenticity and Entertainment
McAvaney described Cometti as a world-class commentator who was universally respected and admired, attributing his success to authenticity and a love for entertainment. "He was true to himself," McAvaney said. "He loved the game, he loved sport generally, and he loved entertainment. He was an entertainer at heart but he also backed it up with all the knowledge in the world." He emphasized that Cometti had a gift for bringing footballers to life and making them famous, leaving a lasting legacy on the sport.
In closing, McAvaney reflected on Cometti's impact, calling him a "once-in-a-lifetime person" and "a once-in-a-lifetime broadcaster." "He made us all laugh, he made us all have fun when we were watching sport and in particular, football," McAvaney said. "So he's going to be greatly missed and he does leave an incredible legacy." This tribute underscores the deep personal and professional bond that defined one of Australia's most beloved sports commentary duos.
