Stood down: Kaysa Pritchard (left). Credit:Getty Images For Pritchard, it is a first offence, while Edwards has form when it comes to off-field incidents. The back-rower was previously stood down for two games and fined $5000 after being charged with public nuisance in an incident with an acquaintance on the Gold Coast. The former Junior Kiwis and Australian Schoolboys representative had already been punted by two NRL clubs for disciplinary reasons but appeared to have made a home for himself after some impressive performances for the blue and golds. The NRL has provisionally suspended Edwards for nine months from the time of the incident, meaning he won't be eligible for a return until November 24. He has until Friday to provide a submission to the NRL should he wish to challenge the severity of the sanction. The Eels are mindful Edwards has a partner and child to support and has welfare issues that need to be addressed. They will wait for the NRL's process to conclude before deciding whether to take further action against both players. Given they both have long-term injuries – Edwards was scheduled to return in round 20, while Pritchard isn't expected to be back this year – and they are not on huge salaries, officials will need to strike a delicate balance in dealing with them appropriately. Pritchard, the younger brother of Canterbury's New Zealand and Samoan international, was viewed as the understudy to first-choice rake Nathan Peats. However, injuries have limited the 21-year-old to just half a dozen NRL appearances since his debut in 2013.

"We're aware of it and we've worked with the NRL Integrity Unit from the time we informed them of the issue," said Eels chief executive Scott Seward. "We await the NRL's final outcome once Ken has gone through due process and then the club can make a full statement. "We certainly don't condone what has happened and we'll deal with it the right way. We have to be concerned with the welfare of the players and we will be. We will deal with it in an appropriate fashion." Both players will face an Eels disciplinary committee once the NRL has ratified its punishments. Meanwhile, the dramas couldn't have come at a worse time for the club, which is attempting to take positive steps off the field. Parramatta and New Zealand Warriors players will link arms before their clash at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday as part of a landmark initiative to raise awareness about domestic violence.

The Eels will officially launch their domestic violence action plan as part of the NRL's Women in League round celebrations. The club has partnered with the No More organisation, which aims to break down the stigma, silence and shame that prevents people from talking about issues such as domestic violence and sexual assault. The relationship was born out of Parramatta's partnership with the Northern Territory government, in conjunction with Darwin's ABC broadcaster and anti-domestic violence campaigner Charlie King. "It's obviously an extremely important issue and if we can raise awareness of family and domestic violence as a club, we're doing the right thing by our community," Seward said. "Obviously the timing is significant with the Women in League round and we thought what better way to show our support for the program this week.

"We will encourage our members and fans to also link arms to show the whole community we're saying No More to family and domestic violence." The initiative comes less than a year after Canterbury formed its own three-year charity partnership with the White Ribbon foundation. Several other NRL clubs are also doing their bit to raise awareness. North Queensland is using its blockbuster against Brisbane to join forces with JCU Townsville Fire and the North Queensland Women's Legal Service to make its own contribution to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Seward said the club would have protocols to deal with any issues that may arise. "It's something you hope doesn't happen," he said. "It's not just the players, it's how we respond with members of staff and the overall Parramatta Eels family, whether it be CEO, chairman, volunteer or star player.

"We are strong on the fact this is the fabric of this football club, we believe in these community initiatives."