That is good news because the team has shown signs of fatigue, particularly in dying stages of a quarter or towards the end of a game when the lungs are burning.
''Where fitness really becomes an issue is probably in the fourth quarter and against the Pulse we were down by 11 but did well to get back to within four,'' Jones said.
''We didn't maintain it but we showed good intensity at the end.
''In terms of last year, our team is very fit. They've worked really hard during the off-season and I think we are definitely on par with the rest of the New Zealand teams.
''I don't have the fitness data on the Australian teams but I know we wouldn't be far off theirs,'' he said.
We can make that comparison for ourselves today with the Steel hosting the Fever at the Edgar Centre. The Perth-based side has won four of the six games between the teams, including the last three games.
The trip from Perth to Dunedin or Invercargill is the longest in the competition and it usually saps the strength of the travelling team, so it might be the Fever struggling in the final stages. The Steel made the trip last year and lost 68-56.
''I know where we were as a team fitness wise and this year our strength and fitness scores are probably 10 to 15% better than we were last year.
''I've seen huge improvements. The girls have worked amazingly hard and have had by far the best pre-season that they have ever had.
''We've definitely seen that in the decrease in their body comp [composition] as well as increases in their speed and their strength and power improvements as well.''
While it is difficult to pinpoint whether an error was made because of pressure or something even harder to quantify such as mental toughness, you could not overstate the importance of fitness.
''It is hugely important. We do know that the ability to make cognitive decisions is better when we are not fatigued. However, it is the style of the game which is determining the error count more than their physical condition.''
That said, the Steel has lost its last five games (three this season, two in 2013) in a row. It is the franchise's second worst losing streak and its playoff prospects will take a dive with another loss.
The Fever is fresh from a 79-43 shellacking of the Tactix in Perth and have a fabulous attack in Caitlin Bassett and Natalie Medhurst. English defender Eboni Beckford-Chambers has been in good touch and then there is the Norma Plummer factor. The former Australian coach is a formidable opponent.
The Steel showed promising signs in its 61-57 loss to the Magic. Star shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid returned to form after making a slow start to the season. Jodi Brown took more shots at goal and some of the Steel's feeding was fearless. Defensively, though, the team gave up too many penalties. Goal keep Phoenix Karaka was the main offender.
The Fever is well-equipped to exploit the Steel's perceived defensive frailties. It has the best attacking record in the ANZ Championship after three rounds with an average of 62 goals per match, while the Steel only averages 60 shots per match.
Steel v Fever: 4.20pm today at Edgar Centre
Steel: Jhaniele Fowler-Reid, Jodi Brown (captain), Shannon Francois, Phillipa Finch, Wendy Frew, Rachel Rasmussen, Phoenix Karaka, Te Paea Selby-Rickit, Storm Purvis, Gina Crampton, Erena Mikaere, Stacey Peeters.
Fever: Caitlin Bassett, Eboni Beckford-Chambers, Kate Beveridge, Shae Bolton, Ashleigh Brazill, Courtney Bruce, Chanel Gomes, Josie Janz, Natalie Medhurst, Chelsea Pitman, Denise Shepley, Khao Watts.
