Eloise Southby-Halbish
Eloise Southby-Halbish is an Australian sports commentator and former netball player. She was co-captain of the Melbourne Phoenix with fellow goaler, Sharelle McMahon, and also played for the Australia national netball team.
Netball career
Southby-Halbish appeared in 132 Commonwealth Bank Trophy matches for the Phoenix and represented Australia in 34 Tests in the positions goal shooter and goal attack.Identified early in her career as a highly talented shooting prospect, Southby-Halbish made her international debut in early 1998, at the age of 21. Southby-Halbish's arrival on the international scene coincided with a period where Australia was rich in shooting talent – with the likes of Vicki Wilson, Nicole Cusack, and Jennifer Borlase all laying claim to the main shooting positions. This overflow of talent saw Southby-Halbish overlooked for the 1998 Commonwealth Games and 1999 Netball World Championships, however she was recalled to the team in 2000.
Southby-Halbish was renowned for her accuracy, strength, and netballing acumen. Her combination with international-level shooter Sharelle McMahon was one of the most successful shooting combinations, with Southby-Halbish's vision and timing complementing McMahon's speed and athleticism.
Southby-Halbish's career received a blow when she was forced to withdraw from the squad to represent Australia at the 2006 Commonwealth Games with a recurring ankle injury. She subsequently retired just before the start of the interstate home and away season, after playing a starring role in Melbourne Phoenix's comprehensive premiership in 2005.
Southby-Halbish won five premierships with Melbourne Phoenix, a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2002, and a World Championships silver medal in 2003.