Footy star turned TV presenter Braith Anasta makes a joke at former co-star Paul Kent’s expense after shocking alleged street fight outside pub

Footy star turned Fox Sports presenter Braith Anasta has left a legend of the game in stitches after poking fun at his former co-host Paul Kent on live television.

On Tuesday night, the NRL 360 panel were discussing Origin selections and journalist Dave Riccio argued Queensland have already ‘planted the seed’ and often ‘get the rub of the green’ when it comes to crucial on-field calls against NSW.

Maroons great Gorden Tallis disagreed and referenced a tree, before Anasta chimed in with: ‘Let’s not talk about trees.’

Tallis laughed loudly, while fellow panellist Paul Crawley – a long time colleague of Kent’s at the Daily Telegraph – was also seen grinning 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 at about 11pm on April 27.

Police will allege a verbal altercation outside a Sydney establishment on April 27 involving Kent soon became physical, with the journalist thrown into a tree (pictured)

Kent, 54, is seeking to have an affray charge dismissed on mental health grounds following the alleged incident 

Widely shared video from the night is claimed to show staff and patrons trying to hold Kent back before the alleged melee spilt onto the street.

In the clip, Kent can be heard calling another man a ‘doghead’ before he was allegedly thrown into a tree across the road, where he landed head-first in the gutter.

Kent appeared before Downing Centre Local Court for a bail review on May 14 as he faces a single charge of affray.

His lawyer George Elias told the court he will seek to have the charge dealt with under provisions of the NSW Mental Health Act.

‘I will be seeking an application to have this matter dealt with under mental health and cognitive impairment,’ Elias told magistrate Scott Nash.

‘In the after hours of this alleged incident he [Kent] sought urgent counselling. He has been seeing his GP who has referred him to Burwood hospital.

‘He’s got an urgent appointment to see [one doctor] and [is seeking] other treatment … regarding alcohol.’

Kent has been stood down from his jobs with Fox Sports and News Corp while his employers investigate the alleged fight

Under the Act, a magistrate may make an order to dismiss a person into the care of a responsible person if they are found to suffer a mental impairment.

Nash agreed to a six-week adjournment for Kent to receive a treatment plan from his new doctor and dismissed his bail reporting conditions.

Asked by the prosecutor if he would plead guilty to receive a discounted sentence, Kent told reporters he had ‘nothing to say’.

He has not entered any pleas and was stood down by Fox Sports and News Corp the day after the alleged incident ‘pending an immediate investigation’.

It comes only months after Kent was found not guilty of allegations he choked and assaulted his then-partner Lucy Kennedy, a result he called a ‘vindication’.

A second man, 35, police allege was involved in the scuffle with Kent was charged with affray before being granted bail to front court on June 7.

He is expected to be defended by high-profile criminal defence lawyer Chris Murphy.