Lessons have been learned as Storm about to unleash its fury
The Storm enhanced their title credentials with a brutal 40- 6 demolition of Manly on Sunday afternoon and are expected to welcome back Billy Slater from concussion.
However five- eighth Cameron Munster is in severe doubt to make the trip north to Townsville after sustaining an ankle injury during the Sea Eagles drubbing.
“One hundred per cent ( we learned a lot against the Roosters), they’re in the top four and that’s where we need to get to,” Coote said.
“They showed that in how they were relentless in what they were doing and completing their sets.
“They just didn’t let us back in the game. They were relentless in what they were doing in the second half, we were under the pump for about 10 minutes.
“To defend your line for that long against a quality team was a good effort but they got their roll on and we didn’t know how to handle it.”
Cowboys centre Justin O’Neill suggested that his team’s wins over the Warriors, Raiders, Panthers and Rabbitohs may have papered over the deficiencies in their game.
The Storm are highly unlikely to be as generous and Cowboys coach Paul Green has called for his team to lift their preparation.
“The last few weeks there’s been errors there when we’ve won the game, but we probably haven’t played to a level or standard that we’d be happy with,” O’Neill said.
“Areas like completing ( sets), we knew if we came up against a side like the Roosters they won’t go away.
“They’re ruthless in attack and defence and can grind a team down. We need to be better there.
“Melbourne are going to be a lot like the Roosters, they're going to be ruthless and not give us much. We’re going to have to take our opportunities when we can and be better in the little areas.”
Friday’s clash will feature both teams’ Origin stars after they were absent for Melbourne’s 23- 22 golden point win at AAMI Park in round 15.