Johnathan Thurston has warned his side that its defensive clout must be "a lot better" against the Melbourne Storm next week after a shoddy display without the ball saw the Brisbane Broncos record a stunning 24-20 comeback win.

The Cowboys appeared to be on their way to a victory after the first quarter of the game but the Broncos responded with three quick tries which could easily have been six as North Queensland opened up like a can of sardines.

The Cowboys travel to Melbourne for a Thursday night clash with their grand final opponents from 2017 and Thurston said it would be carnage unless the defensive effort was better across the park.

"With the players they have got in their team, if we defend like that, it is not going to be a good night at the office, so we have a lot to work on," Thurston said.

“When the tide turned, we needed to match them with our defence but they started running harder and blowing us apart from the ruck to all over the field."