Maroons, Storm dealt awful blow after Munster injury

Cameron Munster will likely face another stint on the sideline after suffering a groin injury in the first-half of Melbourne's clash against the Parramatta Eels.

Munster was sidelined during the opening rounds of the season after he aggravated a groin injury during the Storms preseason training camp.

The five-eighth was instrumental throughout the opening half of the Magic Round clash, however, will likely not return for the remainder of the game.

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Assisted by trainers off the field, Munster was seen taking off some heavy duty strapping tape as Melbourne played out the remaining minute of the half.

With Munster ruled out of the match, questions quickly arose as to who will don the No.6 jersey for the Maroons, with Origin selections only days away.

Queensland coach and Nine commentator Billy Slater has assured fans that "Queensland will be okay" without Munster.

"It's really tough having that conversation right now because I feel for Cameron Munster," Slater said.

"There is a number of candidates … Tom Dearden has played before and Ezra Mam is playing well too. Queensland will be okay."

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Melbourne were first to strike against the Eels, with a slick pass from Harry Grant sending Tui Kamikamica crashing over the line.

Despite struggling to maintain possession, Parramatta was quick to respond as Bailey Simonsson dove over on the right edge and grounded the ball in goal.

Melbourne went back-to-back to extend their lead to 12. Will Warbick bursted through a hole to beat Junior Paulo over the line, before a kick infield by Xavier Coates bounced in favour of Harry Grant who ran over.

Parramatta was next over as Blaize Talagi brushed off an earlier head knock with Coates to score. Talagi powered over the line off the back of a magical pass from Dylan Brown, who created a gap in the line after catching Nick Meaney off guard.