🎽 EXCLUSIVE CHAT | Bruce McAvaney's Heartfelt Tribute to Dennis Cometti

Nick (0:05)

Right now, let's get down to business. We're joined by, you know, an incredible human being.

David Lutteral (0:09)

Oh, yes, sorry.

Bruce McAvaney (0:10)

The one and only.

Nick (0:11)

The man who would love a free coffee.

Susie O'Neill (0:12)

I want Luttsy to do the intro because he's so good at intros. But obviously a friend of mine, a friend of the show, Bruce McAvaney, the best commentator going around the legend. But he is the goat, but is celebrating another goat, Dennis Cometti on a TV show called Centimeter Perfect.

Where he talks about Dennis Cometti and his role that he played in being one of the best commentators in Australia as well. Good morning, Bruce.

Bruce McAvaney (0:36)

Susie, how are you and Luttsy and Nick? Two goats. Gee, we're being selfish, aren't we?

It's a farm.

Susie O'Neill (0:45)

You know what really struck me actually about that, Bruce? Like you're obviously one of the best commentators in Australia. Dennis Cometti, rest in peace, he passed away in March, was also one of the best commentators, but you could commentate together. Like your egos never interfered with each other. That blows my mind. Yep.

Bruce McAvaney (1:02)

Look, it was a beautiful thing, actually. And guys, I've often said, you know, we started as colleagues and finished as friends and you can't really, you know, sum it up better than that.

We had one another's backs. We sort of, we clicked. We were similar age. We were very different in so many ways. And yet the core, the core was the same. I mean, we, it took me a long, long time to realize just how hard Dennis had to work to be Dennis. And I know how hard I have to work to be, you know, who I am. So look, it was a great relationship. I've been incredibly fortunate over the years to work with so many people that have helped me. And, but Dennis is always going to be this special.

David Lutteral (1:40)

I always remember, I got given a coffee table book of comediesms many years ago now. My favorite always was the the player, Liberatore, that played for the... Oh, geez Bruce, help me with the bulldog.

Liberatore, he got hit in the head and came out with an eye injury, and he said, Liberatore went in optimistically, and he came out misty optically, which had to be pre-written, Bruce. But I mean, so, I mean, there was that level of, that level of premeditated sort of... But for Liberatore to then get an eye injury, and then to be able to use that.

Bruce McAvaney (2:20)

And Luttsy, I don't reckon he rang Looper the night before. Yes, that's what I'm saying.

David Lutteral (2:25)

I think I'm in a really good line.

Bruce McAvaney (2:27)

That's what I'm saying.

David Lutteral (2:28)

Like, how does that all come together? And the answer is, it comes through an incredible amount of preparation in a million different areas.

Bruce McAvaney (2:39)

Exactly. You know, he was a genius in so many ways. I mean, I stood alongside him for all those years, and he would surprise me all the time. But he's a wonderful guy, a great family man, a brilliant person. And look, he could do anything. And Susie, you were the subject of one of his greatest calls. And you're part of the big documentary that we're talking about today, Centimeter Perfect, which is going to be aired next Wednesday. But Susie, you and Kieran, particularly in 1996, were part of two of the most famous calls in Australian sport, you know, in the heart of the line and the heart of Dixie. I know the pride that he got out of that over the years, Susie, and talked about that. We talked about that call a lot over the years and how much it meant to him.

I know it's very special for you as well.

Susie O'Neill (3:23)

It definitely was so special to me. I mean, how your race is called really makes a difference. You know, you do the athletic pursuit, but when someone can put it into words and paint the picture and come up with the best lines that can just be used in a show reel over and over again, there's nothing better. And you're right, the last 25 meters of the race, he said that famous line, the heart of the line and the heart of Dixie, because it was in Atlanta area, finally goal to Australia.

Nick (3:50)

Giving you goosebumps right now, isn't it?

Susie O'Neill (3:52)

Yeah.

Bruce McAvaney (3:53)

It's giving me, and it's summed you up so well. Susie was lucky he knew you so well. I mean, I have got goosebumps sitting here in Adelaide right now.