Eloise Southby-Halbish (born 6 July 1976) 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.
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 6 July 1976[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 187 cm (6 ft 1+1⁄2 in)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Relatives | Geoff Southby (father) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Netball career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position(s): GS, GA | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Club team(s) | Apps | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–2005 | Melbourne Phoenix | 132 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Years | National team(s) | Caps | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1998, 2000–06 | Australia | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| Last updated: 2009-03-29 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Netball career
editSouthby-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.[2]
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.[3] 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.[4]
Southby-Halbish won five premierships with Melbourne Phoenix, a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2002, and a World Championships silver medal in 2003.[4]
Media commentator
editFollowing her retirement, Southby-Halbish became a commentator with ABC Sports, calling Commonwealth Bank Trophy matches and international tests. Southby-Halbish co-wrote a novel Anna Flowers with a netball theme.[5] Southby-Halbish moved to Fox Sports as commentator for the new ANZ Championship competition in 2008.[6]
Personal life
editEloise Southby-Halbish is the daughter of Carlton premiership player Geoff Southby and occasionally appeared on Fox Footy's Living With Footballers.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Granville, Alan (22 June 2005). "Silver Ferns v Australia profiles". TVNZ. Archived from the original on 23 July 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ "Two of us". The Age. Melbourne. 15 May 2005. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ Lyon, Karen (4 February 2006). "Southby-Halbish delivers latest injury blow". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Southby-Halbish retires from netball". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 April 2006. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
- ^ "Say hello to Anna Flowers". Netball Australia. 24 July 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
- ^ Peart, Katie (15 May 2008). "McMahon 'should be moved'". Australia: Fox Sports. Retrieved 18 January 2019 – via Herald Sun.
- ^ Pountney, Michelle (16 September 2009). "Legend Geoff Southby beats his own blues". News.com.au. Retrieved 18 January 2019.