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

Bruce McAvaney gave a stirring tribute to his long-time commentary partner during the State memorial service.

Watch his heart warming tribute here.

Channel 7 presenters Susannah Carr and Rick Ardon have opened up on their former colleague following an emotional memorial.

Touching on the man that they both shared a desk with for 16-years.

“He was one of my absolutely favourite people, I loved Den,” Carr said.

“I’m not known for my knowledge of sports, but we always had so much to talk about… that was Den.

“He lit up the whole place and was a joy to have around.”

Ardon spoke on how special of a human being that Cometti was.

“He sat with us for 16-years… he was the nicest man, one of the only people I have never, ever heard a bad word about,” he said.

Close friend and commentary partner Bruce McAvaney has delivered the final tribute for the service.

Sharing stories in a emotional reflection of the bond that the pair shared for years during and after their career.

“Basil I reckon he is in the makeup chair right now thinking ‘the fuss is pretty good’,” he said to a room of laughter.

“How many times have I been asked about Dennis… the commentator, the bloke, but they always wanted to tell me what he did for them.

“He inspired us, every time someone has spoken to me about Dennis, they had that reflective smile.”

Despite boasting his own legendary career, McAvaney spoke of how in awe he was to witness his great calls live, many of which went down in history.

“He has certainly entered our vernacular… how lucky was I, standing alongside of him,” he said.

“I would think ‘how did he do it’.

“We pride ourselves in Australia of the quality of our broadcasters, Dennis was without a doubt the benchmark when it comes to Australian Rules Football.

“Dennis’ ability to rise and sync with the match... his body was in rhythm with the match.

“Sorry Dennis, it was Centimetre perfect, it really was.

“His passing has had a profound effect on me.”

A larger than life figure, McAvaney said that Cometti had a way to calm nerves inside the commentary box.

“That ability to say a lot without saying too much, he had such a presence, in a funny way he calmed us all,” he said.

“We were so anxious about not delivering the right line at the right moment.”

McAvaney gave a nod to his favourite AFL game ever in the 2016 grand final.

The Bulldogs win over the Swans would be the last time the pair called a game together.

“It will always be my favourite game of football… we knew it was the final time,” he said.

“Right until the end he had my back, and I hope he knows that I had his.”

Perhaps the most anticipated tribute is about to begin, with partner-in-crime Bruce McAvaney the next to talk.

Watch McAvaney’s tribute live here.

Basil Zempilas has stepped up to stage, delivering a heartfelt message to his mentor and cherished mate.

“I’ve got so much to thank Dennis for,” he said.

“Lots of people have asked what would Dennis make of today… the truth is he would of said he wanted this to be low-key, and then tell me ‘Bas, make sure they make a fuss’.

“He would have loved this, all of us here today.”

Sharing his favourite call from Cometti’s career, Zempilas shared his own personal pick that is a more unique choice from a long list of legendary one liners.

“For multicultural round, they decided to paint the 50 in Chinese characters,” he said.

“As a player was lining up on them to take a set shot, Dennis said ‘Careful, don’t slip on the Mandarin’.”

He spoke on Cometti’s dedication to his craft, watching hours of footage that his wife recorded for him on VHS.

Stating those tapes belonged in a museum.

“He hated making mistakes… if he ever made one, he would demand a copy of that tape – and he insisted on watching that error had been made,” Zempilas said.

“He was such a perfectionist.”

Zempilas spoke of the West Coast Eagles early premierships and how they are forever ingrained with Cometti’s voice calling the games.

“A trailblazing WA team, connected to a trailblazing WA commentator,” he said.

There is no shortage of prominent figures at Optus Stadium farewelling Dennis Cometti.

See the pictures here.

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.”

Dennis’ wife Velia and son Mark in attendance for today’s State memorial service.

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.