Football commentator Braith Anasta embroiled in fire extinguisher drama at Sydney hotel – as police seek to speak to alleged perpetrator

Former NRL star turned commentator Braith Anasta showed he hasn’t lost his trademark aggression after an incident at a popular Sydney pub on Friday night.

The NRL 360 co-host was attending a football finals party at the Robin Hood Hotel in Waverley on behalf of popular whisky brand Fireball when chaos broke out.

In bizarre scenes, a guest pulled a fire extinguisher off the wall at around 8:30pm and began spraying the bar, flooding stunned guests at the event.

Ali Daher, showbiz reporter for Daily Mail Australia, was there and saw Anasta hold back the man, believed to be in his late 20s, as he tried to flee with one of his mates.

The 2004 Bulldogs championship winner wasn’t having it and violently grabbed the man by the collar, as seen in exclusive footage.

Despite initial reports that Anasta had held the prankster until police arrived, a police spokesperson said the man had “already left the scene” when officers arrived.

Other celebrities in attendance included TV personality Dom Littrich of Inspired Unemployed and reality TV stars Jackson Garlick and Dean Wells.

Anasta initially thought the antics were part of the night.

Former NRL star and now football commentator Braith Anasta (pictured right) has shown he hasn’t lost his trademark aggression after an incident in a Sydney pub on Friday night

The NRL 360 co-host (left) was attending a Footy Finals party at the Robin Hood Hotel in Waverley on behalf of whisky brand Fireball when chaos broke out over a man setting off a fire extinguisher

When the man tried to flee the pub, Anasta was having none of it. However, police told Daily Mail Australia that the man had managed to leave when they arrived

“When it happened I was in the bar… I saw the guy get the fire extinguisher and I thought, ‘He’s not going to spray that?'” he told Daily Mail Australia.

‘He sprayed it at everyone, people got soaked, their clothes were torn.

‘Everyone was shocked and disappointed, it ruined a great evening.’

A New South Wales Police spokesperson said on Saturday: ‘At approximately 8.30pm on Friday (13 September 2024), officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were called to a hotel on Bronte Road, Waverley following reports that a man had sprayed the contents of a fire extinguisher into the business.

‘Police arrived and found the man had already left the scene. The hotel was evacuated, but no injuries were reported.

Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

‘As the investigation is ongoing, anyone with information is urged to contact Waverley Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.’

Earlier this week, Anasta posed at Coogee Oval to mark the launch of the first Fireball Bubbler, which dispenses ice-cold cinnamon whiskey shots instead of water.

“There’s nothing better than a day of electric gaming with the crew, but the huge queues and mediocre beer can take the fun out of it,” Anasta said.

‘The Fireball Bubbler is a game-changer.’

Anasta made his NRL debut in 2000 for Canterbury and won a title four years later.

The five-eighth, who also represented New South Wales and Australia, then enjoyed a successful spell with the Roosters before retiring from the sport in 2014.