Powerhouse sprinter Trae Williams has stolen a march on his domestic rivals and can now look forward to taking on rising Canadian superstar Andre de Grasse and the flying Jamaicans at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
Williams, 20, scorched to victory in the men's 100m final at the Australian trials on the Gold Coast on Friday night in 10.10 seconds - the fastest time by an Australian in 11 years.
It earned Williams an automatic spot in the blue-riband sprint at the April 4-15 Games, with selectors also likely to pick second-placed Rohan Browning (10.20).
But it was a dirty night for Jack Hale, the third member of Australian sprinting's generation next.
The 19-year-old Tasmanian grabbed at his hamstring midway through the race and was immediately booked in for scans to determine the seriousness of the injury.
Williams' winning time on Friday night would have been good enough for a podium finish at any of the four most recent editions of the Commonwealth Games.
"A 10.10 will make the final and that's a big stepping stone," said the muscle-bound Williams, nicknamed Quadzilla.
"Now I need to get back into training to try to get another PB and get into the 10.0s by the Commonwealth Games and should hopefully medal.
"I wasn't sure if it was going to happen tonight.
"Anything can happen in a race, but I knew I had a 10.10 in me.
"To race against those guys who have medalled at the Olympics and world championships will be awesome.
"There will be a lot of pressure, but I've just to keep my cool."
De Grasse, who medalled in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay at the Rio Olympics and is seen as the heir apparent to Usain Bolt, will headline Canada's team at the Gold Coast Games although he's yet to confirm which races he will contest.
Jamaica are still to name a squad, although it could well include 2011 100m world champ Yohan Blake and former world record holder Asafa Powell.
In Williams, Browning, Hale and Josh Clarke - who was third in the 100m final at the trials in 10.31 - Australia also has the makings of a crack 4x100m relay team.
Australia has not medalled in the sprint relay at Commonwealth level since 2002.
AUSTRALIA'S FASTEST 100M MEN
9.93 seconds - Patrick Johnson, Mito, Japan, May 5, 2003
10.03 - Matt Shirvington, Kuala Lumpur, Sept 17, 1998
10.08 - Josh Ross, Brisbane, March 10, 2007
10.10 - Trae Williams, Gold Coast, Feb 16, 2018
10.13 - Damien Marsh, Monte Carlo, Sept 9, 1995
10.15 - Josh Clarke, Canberra, Feb 6, 2016
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