Electric 16 year-old Kyle Chalmers and defending champion Cameron McEvoy helped consign dual world champion James Magnussen to fourth place in qualifying for the final of the 100m freestyle at the Australian Swimming Championships.
Chalmers destroyed his own 100m national 16 year age record by qualifying second fastest for the two-lap final in a scorching 48.89.
Defending champion McEvoy (48.60), topped the time sheets as Magnussen laboured home in 49.11 ahead of Tuesday night's final in the blue riband event.
It was hardly a great look for Magnussen who'd already raised eyebrows with a heavily scrutinised change in coaches in the off-season coupled with a shoulder injury.
"I thought I would go faster than that," Magnussen admitted.
"There are plenty of unknowns in terms of where I am at but I am confident I have done enough work to swim fast.
"Tomorrow there is no holding back."
Magnussen acknowledged Chalmers but hinted that half the battle would be backing up in the final.
"That's not too shabby," he said of the age record time.
"Obviously it will be a bit tougher tomorrow night in the thick of things."
Magnussen may not have produced his best on Monday night but McEvoy was not fooled.
"I would be foolish going into a race thinking he is not going to be anything but the best (on Tuesday night)," he said.
McEvoy - who upset Magnussen at last year's 100m final - was also wary of Chalmers.
"It's very impressive," he said.
"He's easily the quickest 16 year old in history.
"To have a 16 year old going 48 seconds is great for Australian swimming - granted he doesn't go to AFL."
Chalmers did not sound overwhelmed by the task ahead in the final.
"I don't worry about the other guys in the competition," he said.
Meanwhile, golden girl Emma McKeon (1:55.88) clocked the world's second fastest time of 2015 and narrowly missed her own Australian record when defending her 200m freestyle title.
Veteran Kylie Palmer (1:56.68) took silver, booking her spot in the world titles team after missing the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Young gun Mack Horton (7:51.85) added a maiden 800m freestyle title to the 400m crown he collected earlier in an ominous sign before Friday night's 1500m epic.
World champion Christian Sprenger (27.28) claimed 50m breaststroke gold.
And Commonwealth Games silver medallist Grant Irvine (1:55.98) won his third straight national 200m butterfly title.
Fastest qualifiers ahead of Tuesday night's finals were Emily Seebohm (50m backstroke), Daniel Tranter (200m IM) and Brianna Throssell (200m butterfly).
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