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.
Scubloke
Guest
"He used to be good. About 20 years ago." I must have been sick that day, I missed it.
Liam
Guest
Bruce McAveney? darcytrainor you must be deaf. He is the worst, over the top, commentator in the game. He used to be good. About 20 years ago.
David Stephens
Guest
Ted Rippon.
darcytrainor
Roar Rookie
Ray Warren should be on the list, as should a few others mentioned in the comments. These are the names I have grown up with, like everyone I have favourite sports and don't hear every commentator on the planet.
vocans
Guest
Cometti's impressive call of the Crows/Dockers game was centimetre perfect.
Slane
Guest
He did make a funny comment about Ben Cousins bringing the ice one day though.
Slane
Guest
I'm from SA.. I don't give a rats arse where my commentator comes from as long as he doesn't constantly rub it in my face. Like Cometti does.
Slane
Guest
SA... but close I suppose...
bryan
Guest
Or "magnificent kick" just before it misses entirely! :)
bryan
Guest
Nobody cares that you're from Victoria,either! :)
Pope Paul VII
Guest
ah I see
vocans
Guest
Thanks il papa, but I meant TV in the 60s. Sergio was still playing then.
cotts
Guest
Rugby League has not had a commentator worth listening to since Frank Hyde. Buffoons run rampant. AFL? I miss Lou Richards, but Dennis is still streets ahead of his contemporaries. Cricket - not missing Tony Grieg in the least. Mark Nicholas - WTF? Bill Lawry is awesome and the Pommies with Whispering Death are streets ahead of anybody else.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Peter Roebuck was always worth a listen. Kerry has done my head in though.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
I remember when they used to go around the grounds on a saturday arvo in the 70s. Sure Doug was one of that crew, Sergio Silvagni was another.
vocans
Guest
1960s ABC from the VFL: Doug Bigelow and his mate, whose name I forget - has anyone done it better? Someone tell me who his mate was, please....
AZ_RBB
Guest
absolutely love the ABC Grandstand team over summer with their cricket coverage. you know it's summer when you hear the iconic voices of Drew Morphett and Jim Maxwell through the car radio. i know he polarises people but i love a bit of Kerry O'Keefe. Harsha Bhogle is another favourite of mine. re football. hard to go past Martin Tyler although i don't find as engaging as i did maybe 5 or 6 years ago. Garry Neville is one for the future as well. nonetheless i firmly believe football is a sport that should always have a lone commentator. some duos can make it work but the guys at ESPN are insufferable. David Croft and Martin Brundle do a great job with the F1. Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan do UFC perfectly. and can we include Jim "JR" Ross and Jerry Lawler from WWE haha
Here Come the Warm Jets
Guest
Using that same argument, Hmosexulality is practised in more than 180 countries. On that basis, and using your previous argument, even if you were not you would be a willing participate simply because the rest of the world is doing it?
AJ
Guest
Wholeheartedly agree with Phil Liggett. Have challenged many a friend who said cycling was boring. Just spend a night watching with Liggett and Sherwen at the helm and you will be involuntarily absorbed. Love Martin Tyler for the same reason.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Lou Richards. Captained Collingwood premiers 1953.