Misryoum reports on Dennis Cometti’s State Memorial Service in Perth, where colleagues and fans shared stories of his voice, kindness, and fashion.
Dennis Cometti is being remembered in a way that felt distinctly like him: warm, funny, and impossible to forget.
In Perth. Misryoum writes that football fans gathered for a State Memorial Service honoring the late Australian Rules broadcaster. a man whose career stretched across decades and whose presence lingered in the national sporting conversation.. With the day’s tributes ranging from heartfelt reflections to playful punchlines. the atmosphere carried a clear message: Cometti’s legacy never really left the room.
Meanwhile, the memorial’s setting added symbolism.. Misryoum notes the service was held at Optus Stadium. with the media centre named in Cometti’s honour. reinforcing how deeply his work became part of the modern game’s public life.. Colleagues speaking from the stage described him not only as a professional. but as someone who could make the moment feel special without ever taking himself too seriously.
Insight: Why his “questionable fashion” matters is more than nostalgia. Cometti’s style became shorthand for a personality that viewers recognized instantly, turning commentary into an experience people felt they were part of.
Long-time colleague Bruce McAvaney helped frame the day’s tone, sharing memories that moved between genuine admiration and quick humour.. Misryoum reports that as anecdotes flowed. the speeches also captured something more enduring than entertainment: Cometti’s ability to match the rhythm of what was happening. and to understand what audiences needed in that instant.
From his “Cometti-isms” to the way he interacted with people. his voice seemed to stay present even when he wasn’t there.. Misryoum describes how stories recalled familiar phrases and signature calls that had entered everyday talk for fans. along with moments that showed his thoughtfulness off the field.. Even earlier chapters of his life were recalled, including the unexpected paths that brought him into broadcasting.
Insight: Sporting language sticks when it reflects character, not just play-by-play. Cometti’s phrases endured because they carried his personality with them, making the game feel more vivid to generations of supporters.
The service also broadened the focus beyond broadcasting. with mentions of Cometti’s earlier days in the WAFL and his coaching time with West Perth.. Misryoum reports that speakers remembered him for empathy. wisdom. and a keen feel for the sport. even as they highlighted his distinctive presence. including the vest that became part of his public identity.
At the close, McAvaney returned to the idea that Cometti’s influence is permanent, not confined to a stadium or a screen. Misryoum notes that as tributes wrapped up, the final feeling was collective and steady: the golden voice is gone, but the way he shaped football culture remains.