The life and legacy of legendary Australian sports broadcaster Dennis Cometti was celebrated in a state memorial in Perth on Monday, as sporting royalty joined hundreds of friends, colleagues and fans to farewell the iconic commentator.

Bruce McAvaney delivered a moving tribute to his long-time friend and commentary partner, speaking alongside mentee and WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas, WA Premier Roger Cook and renowned former West Perth captain Les Fong at Optus Stadium.

Former Fremantle captain and Sydney CEO Matthew Pavlich, West Coast chief executive Don Pyke, his predecessor Trevor Nisbett, AFL broadcasting giant Eddie McGuire and WA cricket legend John Inverarity also attended the service.

Cometti, who died in March at the age of 76, was remembered for his razor sharp wit, distinctive voice and decades-long contribution to Australian football and sports broadcasting, leaving behind a lasting legacy that spans generations of fans.

Born in Geraldton in 1949, Cometti’s career spanned five decades, covering some of the most memorable moments in Australian football and beyond. Before becoming the voice of AFL, he played for and coached West Perth in the WAFL.

Cometti joined Seven in 1986 and spent almost three decades at the network, forging an incomparable combination with McAvaney. Such was their bond, the 72-year-old delivered the finals words at the service.

In an emotional speech reflecting on their friendship and working relationship, McAvaney posed the question: “How lucky was I, standing alongside him?”

“They (his one-liners) emerged without any hesitation at the most appropriate moment. And I think, how did he do it? I’d still be asking that question, as he cemented another line into footy folklore.

“We pride ourselves here in Australia for the quality of our sports broadcasters and there are many of them in the room today. Dennis, unquestionably, one of our finest and without doubt, the benchmark when it comes to Australian Rules football.”

McAvaney said Cometti’s passing “has had a profound effect on me.”.

“We shared a journey, and for me, that was singularly the most extraordinary I’ve had in partnership with anybody else in my broadcasting career,” he said.

Cometti’s contribution to the game was widely recognised during his life, with his “Cometti-isms” becoming part of football lore.

Some of his most iconic one-liners featured as part of a video tribute, including the famous “centimetre perfect” and “he came up behind him like a librarian”.

Zempilas also made a speech to his mentor and friend.

“He made you laugh, he made you smile, he made you feel good. He had a magnificent way about him and what a commentator,” Zempilas said.

“As we’ve seen and as we’ve heard, all of those magnificent lines… That was the genius of Cometti.”

Beyond the AFL, he called Kieren Perkins’ 1500m gold and Susie O’Neill’s triumphs at the Atlanta 1996 Games.

Cometti was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 and inducted into both the Australian and Western Australian Football Halls of Fame.

In 2018, the Optus Stadium Media Centre was named in his honour, the venue where he ended his astonishing career by calling the historic 2021 Grand Final.