LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a turn of events as unpredictable as a scrum in the dying moments of a close match, NRL commentator Paul Kent has faced his fate after a Sydney street brawl earlier this year.
The Rugby League journalist and commentator found himself in hot water over his involvement in a wild altercation outside a Rozelle pub in inner west Sydney.
Like a player dodging tackles on the field, Kent pleaded guilty to his role in the fracas and was sentenced to a two-year good behaviour bond by Magistrate Jennifer Price.
Kent's lawyer, George Elias, attempted to sidestep the charges by invoking the Mental Health Act, but his efforts were blocked faster than a try-saving tackle.
With the charges back in play, Kent made a swift move by entering a guilty plea on Wednesday.
The incident, captured in a widely-shared video, saw the 54-year-old journalist taking an unexpected tumble, reminiscent of a fullback making a daring dive for the try line.
Thankfully, no conviction was recorded against Kent, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief like a team holding on to a narrow lead in the final minutes of a game.
In the game of life, sometimes we make mistakes and face the consequences.
And for Paul Kent, this chapter serves as a reminder that even off the field, we must handle ourselves with the same level of sportsmanship and integrity as we do on the field.