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.
Humble with his trademark authority
Former West Perth captain Les Fong provided an insight into Cometti’s career as a coach.
“At West Perth Dennis was held in the highest regard, he was respect, admired and deeply loyal,” Fong said.
“In 1968, I watched a young Dennis play league footballer… he was a talented forward, tall and gangly.
Fong touched on Cometti’s success as a coach after he retired from playing, taking Maddington to four grand finals and winning three in local leagues.
Before taking West Perth to a preliminary final in his first season.
“No blame should ever rest on Dennis’ feet,” Fong said.
“What stood out about Dennis as a coach was not only his understanding of the game, but his understanding of people.
“He was humble and never wanted to speak ill will of others.”
Fong spoke on Cometti’s unusual clothing choice as coach and his “trademark authority”, before wrapping up his touching tribute with thanks from the wider West Perth community.
“He introduced fashion no coach before or after has… we were always wondering what the coach would be wearing this week,” he said.
“We were blessed to have Dennis as part of our lives.”
The Cometti family
Dennis’ wife Velia and son Mark in attendance for today’s State memorial service.
‘An exemplary West Australian’: Cook honours Cometti
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.”
Heavy Hearts reflect on the great man
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.
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.
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