What I See with Peter Fiorenza: RIP Dennis Cometti, the voice who turned sports commentating into an art form

When I was a kid, I wanted to be Dennis Cometti.

I suppose that doesn’t surprise you.

In my formative years, while many youngsters were outside kicking the footy and slam-dunking basketballs in the rings hanging off family carports, I was sitting inside.

In front of the TV, pretending to commentate the sporting action on the screen.

That’s something I always dreamed about doing because of Dennis Cometti.

The great man died this week, leaving behind a career that endeared him to sports followers across the nation.

He was not just a sports commentator, he was indeed the sports commentator — the commentator every other commentator was measured against.

Now, firstly, Cometti had a great voice.

It was a voice that oozed professionalism, and coupled with a unique wit, Cometti certainly stood out from his contemporaries.

His one-liners have become legendary.

From “Matera sets sail for home” to “ …and just like a cork in the ocean”, to his great call when Kieren Perkins won the 1500m at the Atlanta Olympics: “This is going to be gold, the rarest form of gold.”

But there is a one-liner that stands out for me: “He’s as lonely as a taxi driver in Meekatharra.”

In my mind, there is no doubt Cometti made commentating an art form.

Although I could not refer to him as a friend, I was very lucky to get to meet him.

On my Saturday morning sports program, I had the pleasure of interviewing the great man after he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2019 and also inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in the same year.

He came across in the interview as a really humble person.

In that interview he revealed to me that although his one-liners seemed spontaneous, he did have them written down.

“Well Pete”, he said. “I must confess that the one-liners are ideas that come to me at all different times, so I just note them and use them when the opportunity arises.”

Following our radio chat, I went on to keep his contact, and did call and have a chat with him from time to time.

Cometti was not just a good commentator and presenter, but he was also a bloody good bloke. Well, he was born in Geraldton, after all.

During my relatively simple commentating career I have constantly paid homage to Cometti, by referring to some of his great one-liners during my call each week with Glenn Barndon.

One that I refer to often is “And suddenly...”

I reckon this coming season, I’m going to try to blend in a few more.

Dennis, you might be gone, mate, but you’ll never be forgotten.

RIP Dennis Cometti.

Peter Fiorenza hosts Sports Shed Saturday (9am to noon) and Fiorenza on Sunday (10am to noon) on Radio MAMA. He can also be heard on Radio Geraldton