Dennis Cometti: Close friend and commentating partner Bruce McAvaney leads Channel 7 tribute to legend

On the eve of a new season, the AFL lost one of its greatest champions as close friend, Bruce McAvaney, led a fitting Seven tribute to farewell Dennis Cometti.

Cometti passed away aged 76 on Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of grief across the football, media, and national landscape, such was his involvement in some of Australia’s greatest moments.

LEAVE YOUR TRIBUTES FOR DENNIS COMETTI IN THE COMMENTS

At halftime of the Opening Round clash between Sydney and Carlton, McAvaney led a video tribute to farewell his great mate featuring some of his greatest calls.

“Dennis Cometti didn’t just call a moment, he became part of it,” he said.

“An unforgettable voice, the soundtrack to some of our nation’s greatest sporting moments. Triumphs, heartbreaks…miracles.

“How lucky we were, to welcome Dennis into our homes. Week after week, year after year. Our storyteller, as history unfolded.

“Dennis had that rare gift…timing. The instinct to rise with the moment. But just as importantly, the wisdom to know when to let the moment speak for itself.

“He made it sound effortless. I can tell you…It isn’t.

“And then, of course, there was his humour. Sharp, unexpected, incomparable.

“To share the commentary box with Dennis is one of my greatest privileges. My colleague, my friend. Dennis understood that sport was about memories…and he created them for all of us.

“Long after the siren, Dennis Cometti’s voice will remain.

“Echoing throughout stadiums and loungerooms. Forever part of Australia’s sporting story.”

Channel Seven’s Thursday night commentary team also paid tribute to the great man.

“An amazing professional he was, and just a national treasure was Dennis Cometti,” Brian Tyalor said.

“To sit beside Bruce and Dennis and see them work together was unreal, just the timing of his calls ‘centimetre perfect’, the call with Jetta and Cyril just amazing,” Luke Hodge added.

“I’m thinking of Bruce right now, the best duo to ever do it,” Kane Cornes said.

Away from football, Supercars commentator Chad Neylon paid his own tribute to Cometti early in the first race of the grand prix weekend in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon.

Young gun Kai Allen found himself facing the wrong way on lap one after being spun, prompting Neylon to pull out Cometti’s famous “like a cork in the ocean” line.