- NRL 360 presenter Braith Anasta appeared to mock colleague Paul Kent
- Kent, 54, was sacked in April following an alleged street fight in Sydney.
- Journalist accused of affray and seeking dismissal under the Mental Health Act
Soccer star turned Fox Sports presenter Braith Anasta has left a legend of the game in suspense after mocking his former co-host Paul Kent on live television.
On Tuesday night, the NRL 360 panel was discussing the Origin selections and journalist Dave Riccio argued that Queensland has already “planted the seed” and has often “benefited from the green” when it comes to crucial calls on the field against NSW.
Maroon great Gorden Tallis disagreed and made reference to a tree, before Anasta chimed in: “Let’s not talk about trees.”
Tallis laughed out loud, while panellist Paul Crawley, Kent’s long-time colleague at the Daily Telegraph, was also seen grinning from ear to ear.
Anasta was making a veiled reference to Kent being thrown into a tree after the veteran journalist became involved in a verbal argument that allegedly turned physical outside a Sydney pub around 11pm on April 27.
Football star turned Fox Sports presenter Braith Anasta shocked rugby league fans after mocking his former NRL 360 co-host Paul Kent on live television.
Police will allege a verbal altercation outside a Sydney establishment on April 27 involving Kent soon turned physical, with the journalist thrown into a tree (pictured).
Kent, 54, is seeking to have the fight charge dismissed on mental health grounds following the alleged incident.
A widely shared video from the night is claimed to show staff and customers trying to stop Kent before the alleged melee spilled onto the street.
In the clip, Kent can be heard calling another man a “doghead” before he was killed. allegedly thrown against a tree across the road, where he landed head-first in the ditch.
Kent appeared at Downing Center Local Court for a bail review on May 14 while facing a single charge of affray.
His lawyer, George Elias, told the court he will seek to have the charge resolved under the provisions of the NSW Mental Health Act.
“I will be seeking an application to have this matter dealt with under the category of mental health and cognitive impairment,” Elias told Magistrate Scott Nash.
‘In the hours following this alleged incident, he (Kent) sought urgent advice. He has been seeing his GP, who referred him to Burwood Hospital.
“You have an urgent appointment to see (a doctor) and (you are seeking) other treatment… related to alcohol.”
Kent has been removed from his jobs at Fox Sports and News Corp while his employers investigate the alleged fight.
Under the law, a magistrate can make an order placing a person under the care of a responsible person if he or she is found to be mentally disabled.
Nash agreed to a six-week adjournment for Kent to receive a treatment plan from his new doctor and dismissed his bail conditions.
When asked by the prosecutor if he would plead guilty to receive a reduced sentence, Kent told reporters he had “nothing to say.”
He has not pleaded guilty and was removed by Fox Sports and News Corp the day after the alleged incident “pending an immediate investigation”.
It comes just months after Kent was found not guilty of allegations he strangled and assaulted his then partner Lucy Kennedy, a result he called “vindication”.
A second man, 35, who police allege was involved in the fight with Kent was charged with affray before being granted bail at the main court on June 7.
He is expected to be defended by prominent criminal lawyer Chris Murphy.
