Andrew Johns has commended the officiating during the Knights’ NRLW victory over the Eels, particularly praising the decision to allow play to continue amid a brawl. The incident occurred with just over seven minutes remaining when Knights player Evah McEwen encountered Eels’ Cassey Tohi-Hiku during a run. Following a tackle by Fleur Ginn that dropped McEwen, tensions flared, leading to McEwen pulling Ginn’s hair as players rushed in to join the fray.
Despite the chaos on the field, referee Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski chose to keep the game going, which resulted in a gaping hole in the Eels’ defence. Capitalising on this, Grace Kukutai surged through to advance play. Commentator Peter Psaltis noted the moment, likening it to a “game of rugby league 10s”.
Johns supported the referee’s approach, stating, “I like it, no sin bins, no touch judge coming in, just let the game go,” highlighting that it was a beneficial decision despite the scuffle. The Knights showed a commanding performance that day at Eric Tweedale Stadium, scoring two tries through Tess Staines and Tenika Willison, which put them ahead 12-0 at halftime.
After the break, the Eels managed to score with a try from Elsie Albert; however, the Knights responded decisively, with Yasmin Clydsdale, Sheridan Gallagher, and Kayla Roamniuk each crossing the line, concluding the match with a dominant 30-6 victory for the Knights. Overall, the blend of intense gameplay and effective officiating characterises the match as a highlight for fans and commentators alike.