Swim trials move suits Magnussen: Rooney

Commonwealth Games gold medallist Giaan Rooney believes James Magnussen has benefited most from the decision to hold late trials for the Gold Coast event.

Swimming Australia's decision to delay trials for this year's Commonwealth Games until a month before the event is a dream scenario for James Magnussen.

That's the opinion of Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner Giaan Rooney as Magnussen continues his comeback from a shoulder reconstruction.

Rooney believes Australia's decision following the Rio Olympics to follow the United States example of holding national championships only a matter of weeks before a major event has given Magnussen as much time as possible to regain full fitness.

The two-time world champion finished second to Cameron McEvoy in the 100m freestyle at the NSW state championships earlier this month having won the Queensland title in December.

"It has helped actually, particularly James more than anyone else, having a long preparation, a long-time to get his shoulder right and just do whatever he needed to do and then have a full block of work coming into some fast racing," Rooney told AAP.

Magnussen isn't the only top Australian sprinter on the comeback trial ahead of the trials, which begin on the Gold Coast on February 28 - just five weeks before the Commonwealth Games.

Cate Campbell claimed victory in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle at the NSW state titles as well as the 50m butterfly after opting not to compete in last year's world championships.

"Cate's on fire ... we all wondered how that little break was going to affect her and it seems to have done wonders for her, she's back and more excited about racing than ever," Rooney said.

Olympic 100m freestyle champion Kyle Chalmers is another who Rooney feels will benefit from the lateness of the Commonwealth Games trials, after undergoing surgery on a heart condition early in 2017.

"If you could possibly say it was great timing to get it over and done with, that's what happened," she said.

"For those three particularly I think it's going to work."


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Source: AAP



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