Marion Seve stood out more than usual running out for the first time in over five months for the Melbourne Storm, strapping on a pair of goggles more familiar to a downhill skier than the famous Parramatta Stadium turf.

But there's a more solemn story behind Samoan international's eyewear than just to keep the mud out of his eyes sliding across the tryline in what proved to be a triumphant return.

Seve copped an accidental boot, with an errant stud made direct contact to his right eye, while playing in the NSW Cup for the NRL club's North Sydney affiliate side.

An ophthalmologist told Seve that his playing career was at risk of a premature end after he nearly lost his eyesight altogether.

He was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery which was successful, though Seve says his sight is still a bit blurry with or without the goggles.

On hearing that the traumatic eye injury had almost brought down his bulldozing centre's playing demise, Craig Bellamy called the 30-year-old arguably the unluckiest player that the Storm coach has mentored across his 23 NRL seasons at the top.

Seve has endured a list of wretched bad run of battles already in his life, starting with a life-threatening diagnosis of stage 3 testicular cancer that spread to his liver when he was just 17 years of age.

The setbacks that continued on the field have included rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee ahead of the 2020 Covid-19 season before suffering a syndesmosis ankle injury last year in his first and only senior game of the year.

"I don't think I've ever seen a player be as unlucky with injuries as Marion Seve," Bellamy said at a press conference after Seve's comeback match.

"You just marvel at his resilience and that he keeps trying and looks to get back into it.

"He is a really talented player, he's strong and he likes the physical side of the game, but he just seems to get these injuries right at the time when you don't need to get an injury.

"He's so unlucky, but he's such a good guy around the club. I think everyone in the club watching him would be so happy for him."

The protective goggles – until he leaves the sport on his own accord – will be a permanent on-field fixture for Seve.

"I guess you could say I am unlucky, but I think I'm lucky to be here right now," he said.

"I'm so grateful."

Having been told that another blow to the damaged eye could take Seve's sight for good, the Storm organised the sporting eyewear and secured NRL clearance for their use.

They were tested on the back of three tries in his first game back for North Sydney a week earlier before Seve crossed in the corner to level the scores in a tense second half against the four-time defending champions.

"The weather wasn't too good, it was hammering down with rain, so it was a funny game to come back in wearing the goggles, but it's just good to be back playing now," Seve said.

"That's probably the worst weather you can play in, wearing the goggles.

"Obviously, they don't have wipers – I was trying to wipe it with my (jersey), but really I was struggling."

That try on the comeback trail tested his faith, as well as well as the body from a couple of bone-jarring tackles around his shoulders, low to the ground.

It was in that fleeting moment the memories of the injury incident, ironically against Penrith's reserve grade side, came quickly flooding back.

"It happened so quickly during the game, and by the time I got to hospital, I could not see anything," Seve said.

"I'm just grateful for the surgeons and the physios and doctors at the club for helping me.

"I'm just glad it's okay now and I'm back playing.

"My faith kept me going. I'm really strong in church and believe in God."

He did need stitches above his right eye for a cut caused by the goggles rubbing after the first NRL game back.

But Seve has fared better since to finally complete his 50th NRL appearance for the Storm across seven tough seasons.

His Melbourne teammates have cooked up a few descriptions of his new look: superhero, a pirate, a cyborg, even a Ninja Turtle.

The good natured fun has been taken in Seve's stride - just like the opportunity to be back out playing again.

"They say the goggles give me superpowers," Seve said.

"But I think I'm just approaching each game differently now.

"You don't understand until you have a setback in your life, especially during sport of how bad it can be. You get injuries and whatnot, but this eye injury was pretty traumatic for me.

"Every game for me now is going out there and having fun and just trying my best."