Eloise Southby-Halbish

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eloise Southby-Halbish (born July 6, 1976) is an Australian netball player. She is co-captain of the Melbourne Phoenix with fellow goaler, Sharelle McMahon.

Southby-Halibish has appeared in 132 Commonwealth Bank Trophy matches for the Phoenix and has represented Australia in 34 Tests.

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 conincided 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 world championships, however she was recalled to the team in 2000.

Southby-Halbish was renowned for her accuracy, strength, and netballing brain. Her combination with international superstar Sharelle McMahon was one of the finest shooting combinations to ever grace the netball courts, with Southby-Halbish's vision and timing beautifully complementing McMahon's speed and athleticism.

Southby-Halbish's career received a cruel 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 2006.

Southby Halbish's career boasted many highlights, notably five premierships with Melbourne Phoenix, a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2002, and a World championships silver medal in 2003. One of netball's most passionate and spirited players, Southby-Halbish's leadership and guidance was sorely missing from the Melbourne Phoenix attacking line in 2006.

She is the daughter of Carlton premiership player Geoff Southby and occasionally appeared on Fox Footy's "Living With Footballers". In 2006 she undertook a commentating role for netball on ABC, with her natural ability behind the microphone being well recieved by netball fans nation-wide.

In April 2004 Southby-Halbish married cricketer Phil Halbish.