Dennis Cometti AM State memorial updates: High-profile figures farewell broadcaster at Optus Stadium

WA Premier Roger Cook is now up at the podium to pay tribute for a “great Western Australian”.

“How does one begin to honour with words one of the greatest origins in WA history,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter whether you watch sport or not, the sounds of Dennis Cometti evoke a familiarity we all share.

“His family was his proudest and most defining legacy.”

Cook credited Cometti’s origins in Geraldton for starting the trend of renowned footballers coming out of the Mid West footy factory.

“It was his warmth, and trademark gentleness the resonated with everyone,” Cook added.

“There will not be another Dennis Cometti… he enriched football and he enriched sports.

“Above all, he was an exemplary West Australian.”

Following a touching tribute from host Mark Readings, a picture show of Cometti’s life played in front of a packed Riverview Room.

Heavy Heart by You Am I serenades an emotional crowd as images from black and white to colour paint a picture of Cometti’s 76 years and five-decade career.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.”

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