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This won’t be taking place tonight, or for any games that will have ramifications for the finals race, but the NRL is set to road-test the controversial “scorer kicks off” rule change that was being considered at the start of this season.

The rule would give a team that concedes points the option of kicking off as usual or receiving the kick-off following points.

The trial of the initiative is weeks away, sources speaking on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, said. It will give stakeholders a chance to witness the rule being tested under match conditions, and then determine whether it adds value to the game. It’s the same avenue by which another big shake-up, the captain’s challenge, was introduced.

Hello and welcome to our coverage of Friday night’s round 22 clash between Melbourne and Canterbury.

After a slow first half of the year, the Bulldogs have won six of their past eight games and are on the verge of breaking into the top eight – especially after North Queensland’s disastrous 82-12 loss to the Roosters on Thursday night.

That result means a win for the Dogs tonight would catapult them into eighth place on the ladder, at least temporarily.

And they are every chance to do so, with Melbourne’s AAMI Park not the daunting fortress it once was. They’ve lost three times at home already this season and are without superstar playmakers Cameron Munster (knee), Harry Grant (hamstring) and – in a late change – Jahrome Hughes (hamstring) due to injury tonight.

Kick-off is at 8pm.