Luke Lewis is hopeful he won't face the wrath of the NRL judiciary following his tackle on Newcastle's Matt Hilder during Penrith's 28-10 NRL win over the Knights.

A bloodied and bruised Lewis was outstanding for Matt Elliott's side on Saturday as they regained joint top spot on the ladder alongside St George Illawarra in a bruising encounter.

Although he wasn't put on report by referee Jason Robinson for the 24th-minute incident, the NRL match review committee may act, potentially putting Lewis in doubt for next week's second State of Origin clash in Brisbane.

With Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne looking set for a ban after his headbutt on Melbourne's Billy Slater on Friday and Brett White also on report from the same game, the NSW selectors may face some serious selection headaches ahead of Monday's team announcement.

"I normally don't get in that position too much, I did put my arms through his legs, but hopefully its not too bad," Lewis said.

"He seemed to pull up OK from it, but whatever happens happens, I didn't mean to do it, but hopefully I will got off with it."

Lewis was also left with a headache after being poleaxed by Knights prop Con Mika late in the game.

The 27-year-old was left with blood streaming from his face from the incident, but refused to leave the field to ensure the Panthers sealed the points after letting the Knights back into the match at 18-10, having led 18-0 at halftime.

"It is little bit sore here and there, I can't remember too much about it, I was just happy to finish the game and come home with the win."

Panthers coach Matt Elliott was full of praise for Lewis' performance.

"He was outstanding, if he was sat here he would be talking about the couple of errors he made, but his response to those errors was what makes him a great player," Elliott said.

"His head doesn't look great, and I think he has already proposed to his partner Sonia, and she said yes, which is lucky for him because he looks pretty bad!"

The Panthers ran in five tries, with former Newcastle winger Brad Tighe scoring twice and Michael Jennings, Gavin Cooper and Lachlan Coote also going over in the final minute.

Luke Walsh, another former Knight, tormented his old team with his pinpoint short kicking game, and his former coach Rick Stone said he was unsurprised at his progress.

The Knights mentor rued his side's poor first half display, which saw them go in at the break lucky to only trail by 18 points.

"We can't keep giving sides big leads and expect to get out of it, not at this level," Stone said.

"In the second half we were much better, but again errors let us down." Stone was boosted by the try-scoring return of NSW winger James McManus after almost a year out with foot and ankle injuries and said his early error for Penrith's opening try was excusable.

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