Moments after being upstaged again in the national 100m freestyle final by Cameron McEvoy, a "pissed off" James Magnussen was initially in no mood to talk.
"I have nothing to say. Talk to the winner," Magnussen said pool-side when asked to speak to TV broadcasters Channel Ten.
However, Ian Thorpe has tipped Magnussen to have the final say at July's world swimming titles in Kazan, Russia.
Magnussen could not hide his frustration after fading badly in the 100m final in Sydney on Tuesday night.
McEvoy (48.06) mowed Magnussen (48.18) down in the world's fastest time of the year then claimed he had become "the hunted" ahead of the world titles.
But Thorpe backed Magnussen to catch his prey by the world titles despite a heavily scrutinised off-season switch to untested new mentors Mitch and Lach Falvey.
"I don't think it is that (coaching switch)," the five-time Olympic gold medallist told Channel Ten.
"The drop he needs to make in times is really difficult.
"I have seen him in that new program and he is doing some good things.
"Long term, I think it will be James Magnussen (winning at world titles)."
Not that Thorpe's call initially eased Magnussen's pain of a third loss in four major meets to McEvoy.
Magnussen may have brushed the TV interview but was good enough to offer himself up to print journalists - not that his mood had improved.
"I am both equally pissed off (about the time and losing) - but losing is probably worse," Magnussen said.
"That's pretty disappointing. I shouldn't be swimming 48s."
But Magnussen vowed to keep the faith with his new coaching regime that at first raised eyebrows with Swimming Australia, so much so that they released a statement saying they did not endorse the move.
"I will look at a few things, but I think I need to keep trusting the process," he said.
"And this is a small step forward - I was faster than I was at Pan Pacs (won bronze in 48.36).
"I don't need to be going really fast at this time of year - I have to peak at the right time."
Meanwhile, McEvoy admitted he now felt like the "hunted".
"I have been the underdog in the past. It is a new feeling to be the hunted," he said.
"(But) this is not my benchmark.
"It's to get myself on to the team. I have a lot of work to do in next four months."
But McEvoy and Magnussen look set to be kept honest by Kyle Chalmers who sealed a Kazan relay berth while becoming the world's fastest 16-year-old with a 100m fourth placing in 48.69 - a full second ahead of McEvoy's former age record.
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