League: Warriors hurt but happy

The Warriors are hopeful that winger Manu Vatuvei will be available for this weekend's clash with Brisbane. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The Warriors returned to Auckland last night bruised but elated after upsetting the NRL titleholders the Sea Eagles.

Most seriously hurt is young prop Leeson Ah Mau, who dislocated his shoulder in the rugged encounter won by the Warriors 26-24. He is unlikely to be available for several weeks.

Boom winger Manu Vatuvei, who took a knock to the knee early in Sunday's match, will be assessed today but the Warriors are hopeful he will be right for Saturday's third-round match against the Broncos at Mt Smart Stadium.

Loose forward Micheal Luck is likely to be available for the Broncos game. He withdrew from the Manly match after taking a head knock in the season opener against the Eels.

The Warriors' win over Manly has prompted Aussie bookies to firm them from $8 to $7 to win the premiership behind Manly and Melbourne.

Meanwhile, South Sydney's Nathan Merritt faces a one-week suspension for his attempted feet-first tackle on Parramatta's Joel Reddy last Friday.

Merritt, handed a dangerous conduct charge by the NRL match review committee yesterday, faces a one-week ban with an early guilty plea but two weeks if found guilty at the judiciary.

Also charged was Brisbane's Justin Hodges with a grade one grapple tackle on Melbourne's Cameron Smith.

Melbourne centre Willie Isa faces a one-week suspension for a low-grade grapple tackle, while Penrith's Gavin Copper copped a grade two grapple tackle charge.