Dennis Cometti AM State memorial live updates: High-profile figures farewell broadcaster at Optus Stadium
The sporting world is paying tribute to a WA icon on Monday afternoon, with the life of broadcast great Dennis Cometti remembered at a State memorial service. Stay across the latest updates here.
UPDATES: The sporting world is paying tribute to a WA icon on Monday afternoon, with the life of broadcast great Dennis Cometti remembered at a State memorial service.
High-profile Australian figures gathered at Optus Stadium to farewell the legendary caller, who passed away in March at age 76.
Stay across the latest updates below, with the service beginning at 2.30pm WA time and streamed live on Seven here.
+2
Fraser Williams and 2+ more are reporting live.
Dennis outside of football
A man known for his broadcasting career, Mark Readings has opened up focusing on Cometti outside of sport.
Speaking of his dedication for his family, love of music and proposing to his wife after dating for just two weeks.
One word to describe Cometti: Respect
Following greetings from memorial host Mark Readings, Dr Richard Walley OAM has opened up the service with a welcome to country.
“The gentlemen we are honouring today can be described in one word, respect,” Dr Walley said of Cometti.
Familiar faces flood the Riverview Room
More familiar faces and notable names have been spotted in a crowded Riverview Room paying their respects to a titan of Western Australia media.
West Coast legend Ben Cousins has made the rounds at the packed venue, while Channel 7 sports presenter Adrian Barich is among other greats that have gathered to farewell Cometti.
Bruce McAvaney is front and centre as he prepares to honour his fallen friend and longtime broadcast partner.
WA Premier Roger Cook entered alongside Cometti’s family, as proceedings are about to get underway.
Watch as WA farewells Dennis Cometti
The State service is just minutes away from beginning, giving the nation a chance to farewell beloved legend Dennis Cometti.
Set to begin at 2.30pm WA time, follow along with the blog for all updates or watch the memorial live here.
‘Cometti was a very caring man’: Former West Perth president
Former West Perth president Neale Fong has remembered Dennis Cometti as a caring and loyal man.
Dr Fong spoke of Cometti’s character and links to the West Perth WAFL club as he entered the State memorial.
“Look he was a very caring man, he’s a great family man, but also just someone was very loyal,” he said.
“He’s had a lot of loyal friends and he had a lot of them at West Perth.”
Judd lends his voice
West Coast Eagles premiership captain Chris Judd has narrated a highlight package dedicated to Dennis Cometti that played for guests entering the Riverview room.
As high profile names arrive to the function room at Optus stadium, a package filled with special moments and highlights from the legendary broadcaster’s five-decade career has played on the projector up front.
In a reversal of roles, former Brownlow medallist and Eagles legend Chris Judd lent his voice in a touching tribute to the voice of football.
Big names arrive at Optus Stadium
Some of the biggest names in WA footy have streamed in to Optus Stadium ahead of the State memorial service.
Former Fremantle Dockers captains Peter Bell and Matthew Pavlich - now Sydney’s CEO - were among the expected more than 1000 people who have arrived to pay their respects, as were West Coast CEO Don Pyke and his predecessor Trevor Nisbett.
AFL broadcaster and former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire also made his way to the service, along with WA cricket legend John Inverarity. WA Premier Roger Cook, Treasurer Rita Saffioti and Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas were also in attendance.
Cometti was my best coach: Les Fong
Legendary West Perth captain Les Fong has declared Dennis Cometti his best coach as he and his teammates reflect ahead of the iconic broadcaster’s State memorial service.
Cometti was at the helm of the Falcons from 1982 to ’84, taking them to a preliminary final in his first year at the then Leederville-based club where he’d played under the late Graham “Polly” Farmer.
“As a coach, I thought he was very astute,” Fong said of Cometti, who died in March at the age of 76.
“He wasn’t probably given the credit he should have been as a coach because like most, you’re only as good as your cattle.”
Relive Cometti’s greatest calls
Dennis Cometti’s legendary voice flooded Australian living rooms across multiple decades, renowed for some of the most iconic calls in sporting history.
Covering a range of sports in their biggest moments, the Hall of Famer always found the perfect way to build anticipation and capture the significance of what was unfolding in real time.
Ahead of his memorial, relive some of Cometti’s most iconic calls here.
Who will attend the service?
With just a touch more than an hour to go until the memorial begins and guests begin to fill up the Riverview Room at Optus, who can be expected to attend today?
Former Channel 7 broadcaster Mark Readings will play host of the State Memorial for his old mentor at the stadium where Cometti called time on his legendary broadcast career.
WA Premier Roger Cook will attend to pay his respects, as will State Opposition Leader and former media colleague Basil Zempilas.
Longtime partner-in-crime Bruce McAvaney will also deliver a tribute to his booth buddy and dear friend.
Live coverage begins at 2.30pm WA time and will be streamed on Seven, with rolling updates available here.
