From the office of ROLAND ROCCHICCIOLI

“Fear no more the heat o’ the sun,

Nor the furious winter’s rages;

Thou thy worldly task hast done,

Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages:

Golden lads and girls all must,

As chimney-sweepers, come to dust.”

Dennis John Cometti AM 1949-2026.

The Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency the Honourable Chris Dawson AC APM, issued a message of condolence: “The passing of Mr Dennis Cometti AM has saddened me deeply, as it will have any West Australian who ever met him, knew him, or had seen and heard him communicate.

“Mr Cometti was a great West Australian. He not only left his mark across Western Australia, the WAFL and the AFL, but used his unique skill and voice to illuminate Test cricket, as well as Australian efforts on the world stage at many Commonwealth and Olympic Games.

“He had that rarest of gifts: the ability to elevate a moment without overwhelming it. Dennis Cometti did not simply describe sport — he enriched it. Beyond the humour and the highlight calls was a deep knowledge and respect for the game of Australian Rules Football and for the people who play, administer and cherish it. He of course played football at the highest State level, coached and inspired many.

“For West Australians, there will always be a particular pride that Dennis Cometti was one of us. He showed that you could come from our side of the continent and become one of the most recognised voices across our nation. For his depth of knowledge, his voice, his wit and the enduring contribution to our sporting and social culture — we will always be thankful.

“We mourn his loss and offer condolences to his loving wife Velia and family.”

Dennis was born in Geraldton. His father — James — was the son of Italian migrants. His paternal grandfather — Giovanni Cometti — came from Baruffini, a village in Lombardia’s Valtellina, and from where so many Italians came to work in the Western Australian goldfields. Giovanni walked the 1200-kms from Perth to Meekatharra.

Dennis and Bruce McAvaney — like all exceptional presenters — made football commentary look effortless. It is nothing of the kind and their success is not good luck. It stems from hard word and preparation — what Dennis called his “homework”.

I already knew Dennis, and I met his wife Velia, when I wrote and compiled The AFL Cookbook. Velia contributed a salmon steak with fresh pear sauce recipe. At that time, Dennis and Velia were living in the house where he had grown-up.

Ruminating on the career of Dennis Cometti you can only but marvel at his degree of success. He took seriously his opportunities and never did he take it for granted. Dennis understood the greater the achievement the greater the responsibility to the audience. Never was he underprepared.

There was about Dennis a quality which attracted an audience. People liked him. I recall being at Melbourne airport with him and everyone wanted to talk with him. He was most obliging. He was gifted a mellifluous voice which served him well. That it has been stilled is reason for reflection.

I leave you with a sample of his witticisms: “Collingwood know they’re in trouble, it’s like being in the bathtub with the Loch Ness monster.” / “The Magpies ought to be kicking themselves right now, but with their luck, they’d probably miss.”

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