Magnussen on target for Rio

AFTER almost a year out recovering from shoulder surgery James Magnussen dived back into the pool in Melbourne and it was like he never left.

In his first swim since undergoing surgery, the Port Macquarie product returned in fine style at the Victorian State Championships, winning both the 50-metre and 100-metre freestyle events.

And not only did he win, coach Lachlan Falvey said he did so in times of 22.51 and 49.35 seconds respectively.

The performance was an encouraging one and another positive step towards the Rio 2016 Olympics.

"It was his first swim in nine months and we're really happy with how he went because it gives us something to indicate where he's at," Falvey said.

"He's still got a lot of work to do (to qualify for Rio), but he's a great competitor."

Falvey said Magnussen had continued to do the right things since he went under the knife.

The Port Macquarie swimming sensation is also one of four additions to the Australian Dolphins team which will have its first hit out of 2016 in the Perth Aquatic Super Series against China and Japan starting on Friday.

Magnussen received the call from Swimming Australia on Australia Day which confirmed he would take his place alongside Victorian pair Travis Mahoney and Josh Beaver along with Queenslander Leah Neale in the West Australian capital.

He said it was a special moment when he took the call.

"It's always a proud moment to get the call to represent your country and reflect on what that means and how special it is.

"I will knuckle down (with his coaches Mitch and Lachlan Falvey) on some specific speed work. We have come off a block of work on my fitness and it's good to get that feel back and get a race under my belt."

Falvey said the Perth event would be more about race practice than setting any goals.

The event will be another warm-up before the Olympic trials in April.

Falvey was confident Magnussen would give himself the best possible opportunity to get on the plane to Rio.

"You never rule out a champion and he'll keep working hard and doing what he's doing," he said.

"Melbourne was a good start and he knows he's got a lot of people hot on his tail so it's going to be a challenge."