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Dennis Cometti is well known around the country as one half of the best ever commentary duo (in my honest opinion of course), and he loves the phrase “centimetre perfect”.
He uses it whenever a piece of play is just inside the boundary, or a kick just sneaks inside the posts, or when a handball just escapes the hands of an opponent. Literally when something is centimetre perfect.
I love this saying because it’s another way of saying there is a fine line between pleasure and pain, which is so true.
Anyway, here are five of my favourite sporting commentators, along with their best work and favourite sayings.
1. Bruce McAvaney
The king of sports commentary in Australia.
South Australian born, Bruce started off calling horse racing before making the switch to AFL, with a bit of tennis during the summer.
He has also covered every Summer Olympics since 1980 (Moscow) up until last year’s 2012 London games.
His voice, professionalism and overall knowledge are what makes him so good, and I hope at 59 years of age he has more years of quality left in him.
2. Martin Tyler
Let the pictures tell the story, this is especially important in TV commentary – you don’t have to be talking all the time. Silence is golden.
Martin Tyler is a football commentator who, along with Andy Gray, has formed an amazing partnership.
As with Bruce, his knowledge and professionalism stand out like a clown at a funeral. He has called World and European Cups, English Premier Matches as well as much much more.
3. Richie Benaud
The voice of cricket. Bill Lawry and Tony Greig (RIP) come close, but nobody knows cricket like Richie.
Captained Australia from from 1956-64, and since has dominated from behind the mic.
Another expert in the ‘less is more’ tactic, Benaud’s humour is also underrated, which makes him even more entertaining.
4. Bill Lawry
Nobody “nose” how to get excited and, more importantly, get the viewers excited better than Bill Lawry.
Like Richie he captained Australia before moving behind the mic. His enthusiasm and passion are his greatest attributes, as well as not being afraid to speak his mind.
5. Rex Hunt
He knows how to catch (and kiss) a fish better than anyone, but in terms of radio commentary, there’s nobody better than Rex.
Controversial and in your face, Rex’s voice and signature style is legendary. A VFL career with the Tigers and then a brief stint at Geelong led him to continue his passion for footy on air.
So there you have it. Not an easy list to make. A lot of commentary is about the team that surrounds you, which is why I mention the likes of Tony Greig, Andy Gray and Clinton Grybas (RIP).
Honourable mentions to up and coming Gerard Whateley, Sid Waddell, Peter Drury, Drew Morphett, Jim Maxwell and Sandy Roberts.
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