The differences in temperament of Australia's two fastest swimmers was on show on Saturday in Perth with James Magnussen put off at the start and Cameron McEvoy unfazed as both made up the placings in the 50m freestyle at the Aquatic Super Series.
Magnussen swam a time of 22.49s and McEvoy 22.51s but both were behind American Josh Schneider who won in a time of 22.38s that was still well behind the 21.88s with which Magnussen was winning races at the same event last year.
While the four-nation team event in Perth is only a small step towards August's world championships in Kazan, Russia, the difference in Australia's leading male sprinters was evident in the 50m race.
Magnussen was far from happy with the starter holding the swimmers on the blocks too long and felt that made it almost a wasted race.
"That was pretty bad ... I didn't get off to a cracker. I don't think that's a good indication of where I'm at.
"I think it would have thrown everyone, though. The whole race was pretty slow because of it ..."
McEvoy didn't notice the problems at the start and was happy with his swim, backing up from coming second to Japan's Daiya Seto earlier in the 200m freestyle and after his second place on Friday night in the 100m behind Magnussen.
"When I'm on the blocks, all I think about is that beep. Any other noise is just white noise and signalled out in my mind," McEvoy said.
"We haven't quite attacked the race pace yet and are working towards that long-term goal of the world championships so I'm really happy with what I've done this weekend."
Magnussen still swam well to win the 100m on Friday and, in his first international meet since changing his support staff, he was happy with how he opened 2015.
"I think my 100 was a lot better than the one I did at Victorian State Championships and, for where I'm at, I'm really happy with how everything is going. It's looking promising."
Australia won 12 of the 30 races at the annual four-nation event to finish with 626 points to win ahead of the USA (586), Japan (548) and China (520).
In the final night's competition, Cate Campbell again pipped younger sister Bronte by the smallest possible margin of .01s in the 100m freestyle, backing up her win on Friday in the 50m.
Emily Seebohm won her pet 100m backstroke in a strong time of 58.84s, while Keryn McMaster won the 400m individual medley and Mack Horton claimed the 1500m freestyle breaking 15 minutes (14.55.76).
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