Swimming: Hackett shines in comeback

Grant Hackett made a brilliant return to the pool. Photo / Getty

No one was more surprised it seemed than Grant Hackett after the 34-year-old made a brilliant return to the pool, qualifying fourth fastest for the national 400m freestyle final in Sydney on Friday.

The dual Olympian took five seconds off his best time since returning six months ago after a six year break, clocking three minutes, 49.97 seconds - much to his astonishment.

"I turned around and saw that time and thought 'that is mind blowing'," Hackett said. "It's a bit out of control to be honest."

Hackett first broke the 3:50 barrier at the tender age of 17 at the 1998 Pan Pacs at Fukuoka. Almost 20 years later Hackett decided to return to the pool while watching from the stands at the last Pan Pacs on the Gold Coast last August.

"If you asked me back then at the Pan Pacs that I would be making a national final it would have been laughable," Hackett said. "I thought I was going to go 3:52. I can't believe I have gone sub 3:50 after six months and six years off - it's pretty crazy."

Hackett was initially planning to skip the 400m final and focus on the 200m freestyle where he is now considered a strong chance of nabbing a top six finish and a 2015 world titles relay berth. But Hackett said he would contest Friday night's 400m final.

Three time defending champion David McKeon (3:46.49) was fastest qualifier ahead of young gun Mack Horton (3:48.12).

"I am starting to get a bigger picture of all this - the more I race the faster I get," Hackett said.

Hackett led at the first turn of his heat, drifted to third by the 300m mark before powering home to finish second behind Horton.

"(Coach) Denis (Cotterell) said 'don't leave too much on the table because you are not what you used to be'," Hackett laughed when asked of his gameplan.

-AAP