CHANNEL 7’s decision as to who replaces legendary commentator Dennis Cometti when he hangs up the microphone will be one of the biggest the football broadcaster has to make.

Cometti’s dulcet tones and, more particularly, quick wit, have long made him a favourite among footy fans, and early findings in the 2016 AFL Footy Fans Survey suggest he’ll be a hard man to replace when he farewells the commentary box at the end of the season.

Asked: ‘Who is the AFL’s best play-by-play television commentator?’, Cometti is an overwhelming pick among fans, receiving almost half the vote.

FANS SURVEY: HAVE YOUR SAY ON FOOTY’S BIG ISSUES FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 2 AFL GRAND FINAL TICKETS

Cometti’s Channel 7 colleague and Friday night calling teammate Bruce McAvaney, along with Fox Footy’s Anthony Hudson, head the list of those chasing the revered ‘Den’.

Brian Taylor, mooted as a potential replacement for Cometti, rates well with fans and he will earn a chance at the coveted Friday night slot in August.

But there is an anomaly when it comes to ‘BT’.

When asked to rate the ‘most annoying commentator’, Taylor currently leads the vote (McAvaney is ranked second).

So where does that leave Channel 7 — and Taylor — in the search for Cometti’s replacement? BT’s trial in August may well tell the tale. And BT’s form would want to be, dare we say, centimetre perfect.

* Fans can vote in the Footy Fans’ Survey until Wednesday June 29.

Originally published as Is BT the man to replace Dennis?