Knights gun Evah McEwen to miss Magic Round due to fiery hair pull as Andrew Johns praises referee reaction

The Newcastle Knights will be without Evah McEwen for Magic Round after she was slapped with a one-match ban for a hair pull on Parramatta's Fleur Ginn.

With just over seven minutes left in the match, McEwen took a hit-up for the Knights. The second-rower went into contact with five-eighth Cassey Tohi-Hiku while Ginn came in and dropped McEwen on her back.

McEwen then pulled the hair of Ginn with a number of players coming together.

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The fight opened up a massive hole in the Eels defence as Grace Kukutai obliged and ran straight through it.

Referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski let play continue as the defenders and attackers eventually returned to where the play was going on.

"It was a game of rugby league 10s there for a minute," caller Peter Psaltis said on Nine.

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Andrew Johns praised the reaction from the referee.

"I like it, no sin bins, no touch judge coming in, just let the game go. Even if a couple are thrown, no one gets hurt," he said.

If McEwen is to challenge her ban and is unsuccessful at the judiciary, she will face the next two rounds on the sidelines for Newcastle.

The Knights dominated the match at Eric Tweedale Stadium, Merrylands.

Tries to Tess Staines and Tenika Willison led to a 12-0 lead at half time.

Elsie Albert put the Eels on the board after the break but tries to Yasmin Clydsdale, Sheridan Gallagaher and Kayla Roamniuk sealed a 30-6 win.