A new 100m freestyle threat was always expected to emerge at the Rio Olympic swimming trials in Adelaide.
Few would have predicted it would be veteran Matt Abood.
Cameron McEvoy was fastest qualifier for Monday night's 100m final but the world titles silver medallist will be looking over his shoulder at Abood who took out his semi-final with the next best time.
Abood, 29, logged his fastest effort in three years (48.89) as world No.1 McEvoy came in at 48.09 seconds - a time that would have won 2015 world titles bronze.
McEvoy's effort aside, little else went to script.
World junior champion Kyle Chalmers was just fourth fastest (49.06) while James Magnussen (49.21) could only manage sixth for the final.
Only a top two finish in the final within the qualifying time will earn a Rio 100m nod while relay spots will be picked on head coach Jacco Verhaeren's discretion.
Asked if he wanted to throw a spanner in the works, Abood said: "Mate, I will be throwing spanners everywhere."
McEvoy was encouraged by the fact he could produce a world class time backing up from dead-heating for 200m freestyle gold on Saturday night.
"The warm-up was probably the worst I have felt all week," defending champion McEvoy said.
"So to come out like that, it's exciting."
Magnussen - back from shoulder surgery - admitted he would have to shave two seconds off his 100m semi-final time to be a contender on Monday night.
But he believed he was up for the challenge.
"Now I can really fire up for that final," Magnussen said.
"I have always enjoyed the pressure and there will be plenty of that tomorrow."
Meanwhile, Emma McKeon (one minute, 54.83 seconds) broke her own Commonwealth record when she claimed 200m freestyle gold.
She had already earned Rio selection by claiming the 100m butterfly title.
Bronte Barratt - the longest serving female member of an Australian swimming team - also qualified for Rio with 200m silver in 1:56.34.
Barratt qualified for her third - and last - Olympics.
She has announced she will retire after Rio.
London Olympic bronze medallist Barratt, 27, has been a part of the national team since 2005.
Veteran Alicia Coutts (2:09.95) earned Rio selection when she claimed the 200m individual medley title.
The five-time Olympic medallist contemplated retirement after she failed to qualify for the 2015 world titles due to a shoulder injury.
David Morgan also earned a Rio nod when he claimed the 200m butterfly title (1:55.63).
