Cardiff Dragons captain Nia Jones 'super focused' on top-four finish

It is the halfway point of the Netball Super League season and the newly renamed Cardiff Dragons franchise are already performing better than they have in the last 10 years.

The club currently sit fifth in the table, but a win in their next two matches could see them rise to the fourth and final play-off position, if other results go their way.

On Friday night Dragons host a Surrey Storm side a point and a place below them, and are again in action at Cardiff's House of Sport on 26 April against bottom side Strathclyde Sirens.

It is a long way away from where they have been used to battling it out for the last few years, towards the bottom of the table.

Captain Nia Jones believes that the change in results and performances is mainly down to the work being done off the court.

"Behind the scenes they are as well run as they have ever been," she said.

"I am lucky enough to have the perspective now having been at other top clubs in the league, Severn Stars and Leeds Rhinos.

"I've seen how those guys run their franchises, and I actually don't think we give ourselves enough credit here in Wales at the Cardiff Dragons as to how well we try and do things behind the scenes, how well we look after our players."

"It's been backed up with incredible recruitment, both on and off the court with head coach Jill [McIntosh] and assistant coach Jen [Barrett], but also on the court they've kind of put their money where their mouths are.

"They've said we don't want to keep being bottom of the table and they really have invested and that's coming into fruition."

Cardiff 'challenge'

This is McIntosh's first full season at the helm after coming in for the final few games of last season.

On the decision to take the role full time and what attracted her to it, McIntosh said she was not sure whether to take the job or not.

"It was a toss up. Do I, do I not? It was the challenge," McIntosh said.

"It's been quite some time since I'd done a full-on season with a head coaching role. Before that I was doing a lot of coach education, so that's where I was at in my career, bit of a challenge and I must say I'm enjoying it."

McIntosh held the head coach role with the Australian Diamonds from 1995 to 2003, leading them to two gold medals at the Kuala Lumpur 1998 Commonwealth Games and the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, plus two World Championships in 1995 and 1999.

McIntosh led several unbeaten campaigns with the Diamonds, racking up a 94% win ratio.

Captain Jones is embracing working alongside such a decorated coach.

"I really enjoy it and obviously the athletes she's worked with during her career, it's a huge privilege that she asked me to undertake the role [of captain]," Jones said.

"I still feel like I'm learning every day both as a player and as a captain under Jill, who also was the captain of the Diamonds as well.

"The key to it is open conversation, we talk almost every day, maybe too much for Jill's preference, but we update each other on how the group is, what Jill's plans are for the week. It's a collaborative approach and the girls respond really well to that."

Dragons, who have recruited nine new players this season, know Friday night's game against Storm could define their season.

"Playing storm is really important," said McIntosh. "We're right there with them. We need the win if we're going to stay in contact with that top four. It's really close in that middle sector of the ladder."

According to Jones, a key battle will be between Dragons' former Surrey defender Leah Middleton and current Surrey attacker Peace Proskovia.

"We're actually full of confidence ahead of this Friday, they're coming off a loss," Jones said.

"I think Leah Middleton was Storm's best player last season and we've poached her from them. So I think that will be a great battle in the circle for anyone coming down to watch.

"That could be where the match is won and lost and I'm looking forward to it because we've got the home advantage."