‘Sad day’: Victorian AFL commentator Ross Booth dead at 72

Tributes have flowed in the AFL world after the shock death of long-time Victorian commentator left the sport in mourning.

The AFL community has been rocked by the shock death of beloved football commentator Ross Booth at the age of 72.

Victorian football great and commentary colleague Phil Cleary broke the horrible news, revealing Booth’s sister told him the long-time commentator was found dead in his Toorak flat.

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The pair both called the reserve grade VFA and then VFL on ABC TV between 1987 and 2014.

Booth wasn’t only a commentary star but had a strong career, being named in the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) club Monash Blues’ team of the half century in 2011. He having captained the club and was named best and fairest in 1973 and 1974

Booth also served on the VAFA board between 1986 and 2010 and was given life membership in the association in 2006.

Outside of football, Booth was also a respected academic and senior lecturer in economics at Monash University.

Phil Cleary with Ross Booth at the football when calling for the ABC. Photo: Facebook/ @PhilCleary

Cleary led tributes for his former colleague, calling it “sad news” via a post on Facebook.

“I’ve said many times that Peter Gee and Ross Booth’s calls of VFA grand finals on ABC TV were as good as any AFL grand final calls the commercial stations have produced,” Cleary wrote.

“It’s sad to have to announce that I was advised this week by Ross’s sister that Ross had been found dead in his Toorak flat. The Toorak flat was a standing joke during our nearly 30 years calling VFA football from 1987 to 2014. I called him a toff and he loved it.

“I spoke at his 60th birthday more than a decade ago and we shared so many good times. As irony would have it, we first met when I was playing with Coburg Amateurs and he was a tough midfielder with Monash Blues in the VAFA in the early 1970s.

“I will have more to say, but for now let me just say he was an urbane scholar and great football person, whose calls of football made him an institution in the football world. We’ll miss him.”

VAFA president Paul Newton said it was “a sad day for the Association”.

“Ross was admired as one of the competition’s stalwarts – both on the field, where he played over 100 games for both University Blacks and Monash University, and off the field, where he was a board member for 25 years,” Newton said via a statement.

“Ross made an enormous contribution and his service was recognised with life membership of the association in 2003. He will be fondly remembered by all those involved at the VAFA.’’

Renowned football presenter Ross Booth (R), seen here with his old ABC commentary team, has died. L-R: Phil Cleary, Sam Kekovich, Peter Gee, Len Thompson and Booth.

Monash Business School head Professor Simon Wilkie said Booth would leave “an indelible mark as an educator, mentor, administrator and an agitator for change, in the very best sense of that word”.

Footyologist’s journalist Rohan Connolly said it was “really sad to hear”.

“Apart from being a lovely bloke, Ross Booth was also for many years part of the Sunday Age’s VFA coverage and was terrific at his craft. RIP Ross,” Connolly wrote.

Commentator Val Febbo tweeted: “This is so sad. Peter Donegan, Phil Cleary and Ross Booth were the voices of the VFL throughout my childhood. Condolences to his family.”

SEN broadcaster Damian Watson said: “Sad to hear the passing of Ross Booth. Memorable VFL/VFA caller, boundary rider and a friendly bloke.”

CODE Sports Paul Amy added: “So sad to learn of the death of former top ABC commentator and leading amateur player Ross Booth.”