Grant Hackett may have missed out in his bid for the Olympics but he may not be lost to the team, with Swimming Australia keeping the door open for the retiring champion to be part of their preparations heading towards the Rio Games. 
It was a lethargic Hackett that bowed out at the Australian Championships in Adelaide on Friday night. In his bid to be our oldest Olympic swimmer, his 35-year-old body couldn't keep pace with the young guns as he finished seventh in his 200 metres freestyle semi-final.
Asked when he felt like he was in trouble against the likes of top-class sprinter Cameron McEvoy, Hackett replied: "When the gun went."
Unlike his first retirement, when he had seen enough pools and training sessions to last a lifetime, Hackett walks away from the sport not just content with his comeback but also happy to contribute should Swimming Australia feel he could be an asset to emerging talents.
"Last time I really wanted a clean break because I was so over the sport. But this time I'll support the guys at any sort of level," Hackett said. "The best way to support them is personal, whether things are going well or poorly in their preparation. If I can provide help to any of those guys, I'll certainly be there in any capacity they want me to."
Swimming Australia chief executive Mark Anderson said any call would be up to Australian coach Jaco Verhaeren, but the organisation understood the quality of Hackett as a potential mentor.
"We will keep him involved in our preparations if he would like to be. He adds a significant amount to our environment. But Grant would need to want that and we respect his choices," Anderson said.
Hackett's influence had certainly had an impact on McEvoy, who said the veteran had been an inspiration during his attempt to book a ticket to Rio.
"He's had a tough road to these trials. Just to do what he did, it's incredible for someone of his age. A lot of inspiration can be drawn from that," McEvoy said
Thomas Fraser-Holmes and McEvoy were the quickest through to the final.
'It's disappointing but I gave it a shot," Hackett said. "I don't feel ... sad."
Earlier, Emma McKeon joined brother David in the Olympic squad after holding off the surging Madeline Groves in the final of the 100 butterfly. Breaststroker Jake Packard won his 100-metre event in a Rio qualifying time while world champion Mitch Larkin qualified fastest for Saturday night's 100 backstroke final.
Emily Seebohm and Madi Wilson were the two fastest girls into the 100 backstroke final, just ahead of Brisbane's teenage sensation Minna Atherton, who will try to make the team at just 15.