Cometti set for Seven's team
Caroline Wilson
The Age
November 16, 2006
CHANNEL Seven is poised to hire leading AFL commentator Dennis Cometti to join its Friday night line-up next season.
After months of speculation about who will call games for Seven, network chief Ian Johnson, confirmed yesterday that Bruce McAvaney would host Friday night games, and strongly hinted that Cometti would be his co-caller.
Mr Johnson said he had spoken to Cometti, who crossed from Seven to Nine five years ago, and that the award-winning caller had agreed to wait before reaching a new deal with Nine until Seven had finalised its AFL plans by the end of November.
Mr Johnson said the network's sports chiefs would meet tomorrow to debate the remainder of its calling team but added that one Friday night special commentary position had already been unofficially filled by Tim Watson and that former player and physiotherapist Ricky Olarenshaw was likely to become Seven's medical commentator.
Channels Seven and Ten are still preparing to televise all eight weekly AFL games next season and have placed an unofficial deadline of December 1 on Foxtel, which has still not increased its offer of an annual $45 million for four AFL games a week.
Foxtel's football head Peter Campbell refused to comment on the broadcaster's plans last night but it is believed that senior News Ltd executives remain hopeful of an agreement within weeks.
Mr Johnson also confirmed that the network planned to televise a weekly football program, probably on Monday nights at 9.30, examining the game and its issues. Channel Nine, which will no longer televise AFL, has confirmed Craig Hutchison will host a Monday night show next season.
Former Brisbane star Michael Voss, currently with Nine but wanted by Ten, could fill a second special commentary position on Friday nights. Seven's boundary commentary would be shared by sport reporters Dylan Howard and Michael Felgate.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/11/15/1163266639989.html
