She is Australia's best chance to avoid their first world titles gold drought in 31 years.
But defending champion Emily Seebohm conceded she was no guarantee of 200m backstroke victory after watching red-hot favourite Sarah Sjostrom's shock loss at the world swimming championships in Budapest.
Seebohm was the shining light as Australia failed to claim a medal on day six at Duna Arena, equalling her national record to keep her 200m backstroke title defence on track as fastest qualifier for the final.
It was the shot in the arm the Dolphins needed after Bronte Campbell became the third Australian to have their world title defence derailed in Hungary.
Campbell failed to defend her 100m freestyle title when she finished second-last in the blue riband event, claimed by joint Olympic champion Simone Manuel of the United States.
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Australia's young 4x200m freestyle relay team of Clyde Lewis, Mack Horton, Alex Graham and Jack Cartwright went closest to a medal on day six, finishing fourth in their final won by defending champions Great Britain.
Even Emma McKeon couldn't register on the podium.
The winner of a record-equalling five world titles medals to date, McKeon's huge seven event program caught up with her when she finished last behind Campbell in the 100m final.
With two days left, Australia are 12th on the medal tally with five silver and two bronze.
The last time Australia did not claim world titles gold was in 1986 when they failed to win a medal after making only five finals at the entire meet.
That may change on day seven thanks to a revitalised Seebohm.
She topped qualifying for the final in two minutes, 05.81 seconds - the same time that earned her 200m gold at the 2015 world titles in Russia.
However, Seebohm wasn't taking anything for granted after watching Sweden's Sjostrom upset by Manuel in the 100m final.
Sjostrom was an unbackable favourite after earlier breaking Australian Cate Campbell's 100 world record, becoming the first woman to shatter the 52 second barrier.
"Anything can happen and we saw that in the 100m free," Seebohm said.
"Just because someone is in lane four and has the fastest time doesn't mean they are going to win.
"I am just going to go out there and enjoy it."
Australia needed the confidence boost from Seebohm on day six.
Besides Campbell, Australian sprint king Cameron McEvoy failed to qualify for the 50m freestyle final.
And fastest qualifier Taylor McKeown faded to second last in the 200m breaststroke final, claimed by Russia's 2013 world champion Yuliya Efimova.
