Swimming Australia's "back to the future" approach has been applauded by Olympic champion Libby Trickett.
But she believes the national team will benefit more from another blast from the past - comeback hopeful Grant Hackett.
Trickett toasted SA's decision to again name the national team the Dolphins after a five year absence, saying they lost their way without an identity.
The lowest point came when a "toxic" team culture emerged following their one gold tally at Trickett's swansong the London Olympics - their worst Games pool haul in 20 years.
Trickett said installing the likes of world 100m freestyle champion Cate Campbell in a leadership role would keep the now revitalised team on track for Rio 2016.
However, she believed the team culture would only be enriched further by Olympic great Hackett's return.
Hackett, 34, has been buoyed ahead of next month's national titles in Sydney with impressive 200m and 400m freestyle times at a weekend qualifying event in Brisbane.
It was his first competitive outing since the 2008 Olympics.
Hackett is on track for July's world titles in Russia and ideally the 2016 Rio Olympics.
"He would be a very positive influence on the team because he has had that life experience outside of swimming," said Trickett, hinting at Hackett's past battle with Stilnox sleeping pills.
"He's had trials and tribulations outside of the pool which I think can put things in perspective.
"I think he has a realistic opportunity of making the Australian team, whether he can get back to competing internationally is a whole other ball game.
"But the inspiration he can bring to a team is something that is exciting."
Trickett said it was a "shame" the Dolphins name was dropped back in 2010.
"Growing up I always dreamt of being in the Dolphins squad," she said.
"Bringing it back provides a foundation that made the Australian swimming team a great one.
"It's not going backwards. It's an acknowledgement of where we have come from - hopefully we can grow from here."
Trickett baulked when asked whether the Dolphins name had now returned because the team was again worthy of the famous tag.
"That implies they weren't before," she said.
"I just think we tried to do something different, and that's fine.
"But through that process and obviously since London we've realised we need to go back to some of those core values that we held close to our hearts.
"We got lost along the way I guess."
Trickett believed Campbell summed up what was now good about the national team.
"She leads by example. For me that was a crucial part of being a leader," she said.
"And I can't praise her enough for the way she carries herself out of the pool.
"It's great the team has come full circle."
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