The Bulldogs didn't achieve the result they were after in Auckland but first year head coach Cameron Ciraldo said their effort made him "proud".

"That 80 minute performance we're looking for, it was much closer to that," Ciraldo told the media after the 16-14 loss.

"The grit they showed, over the whole day, was outstanding. It's what the club's built on, that's the best performance we've had [this year]."

When asked what the difference between the two sides was, Ciraldo's answer was simply two words: Shaun Johnson.

The Warriors halfback scored a try that brought back memories of his glory days as a hot-stepping youngster, dancing his way through the Bulldogs' defensive line to score under the posts.

"They're an improved footy team," Ciraldo said. "There's a resilience to them.

"I thought both sides were really good today and it was a good game with a great atmosphere.

"We will be better for the experience, Johnson was the difference today ... whatever they're doing with him is working.

"We're learning lessons on the run here and as long as we keep improving every week, we'll be happy."

Warriors coach Andrew Webster, who was an assistant alongside Ciraldo at Penrith under Ivan Cleary, echoed his counterpart's comments on the home side's resilience.

"They should be proud of themselves for that," Webster said.

"I'm pretty excited that Shaun scored that try. I thought he owned the moments today, defensively he was great, he took

the moments and won us the game," he said.

"It was a team effort still, but they gave Shaun the opportunity to do that and we're super proud of how tough he is."

There was a hint of an obstruction when Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake clattered into Reed Mahoney in the lead up to Johnson's match winner, but the Bulldogs hooker and captain said he felt it was the right call.

"I wasn't really in it, I can't do much about it," he said. "We pulled up short this week, but we'll go again next week."

The Bulldogs had to play the second half with three interchange players after Nu Brown was forced off with a serious elbow dislocation.

Ciraldo singled out utility Jayden Okunbor as a stand-out in the loss, saying "he was on the bench to play anywhere".

"He's ready for that, he's trained for that, and he got out there and competed," Ciraldo said.

"He really took his opportunity. Next week with Nu being out, someone else is going to get an opportunity and we want to see them do the same. We're a strong club and someone will step in."

The loss leaves the Bulldogs with two wins and two losses as they return to Sydney to face the Cowboys next weekend, while the Warriors travel to meet the cellar-dwelling Sharks.