Magnussen eyes 50m freestyle at Olympics

James Magnussen has emerged as a genuine chance at swimming the 50m at the London Olympics following his shock win over Australian record holder Ashley Callus on Wednesday night.

Despite winning his preferred 100m freestyle at the Queensland State Championships the night before, his coach Brant Best gave him a "rocket" for a sluggish start.

That lit the fuse for Magnussen, who showed if he continues to improve he could yet be a contender for both the 50m and the 100m in London next year.

"(Best) just didn't like the way I raced (in the 100m)," he said.

"I didn't keep my composure as much as I would have liked to and I was a little bit off the pace.

"I wanted to prove I still had it in me. I raced the way I wanted to and had control over it."

While it was hardly a scorching time, Magnussen's 22.66sec more than half a second slower than his own personal best and 1.47 behind Callus's Australian record, it certainly got Magnussen thinking he could add the event to his Games program for London.

"It's just a bit of fun at the end of the week for me, really," he said.

"But if I keep improving there's no reason why I can't have a crack (at the Olympic trials in March).

"It's all about the start in the 50m and I got off the blocks all right so that's where it came from."

Callus (22.87) finished in a dead heat with Hamish Rose for second.

In the women's 50m freestyle it was a Campbell family affair with Cate (24.42) taking the win over younger sibling Bronte (25.07) with Sophie Edington third (25.42).

And if both can continue with the form they are showing, there is every chance Australia could see them both swimming in London.

"I would seriously put that as my ultimate dream, my ultimate goal," Cate said.

"If she makes the team it would be really incredible."