The Wodonga product has been part of Nunawading Swimming Club's high performance squad since 2019 and the team was rushed out of Melbourne to the Gold Coast on the eve of the Victorian COVID-19 lockdown announced a fortnight ago.

Deacon and her clubmates have been able to continue preparations for the major meet and are free to fly to Adelaide on Thursday having spent two weeks outside of Victoria.

"It's been a bit of a bumpy road and there's been a lot of challenges, but I think we adapted well and we've faced all the challenges we've been given," she said.

"Coming up here on short notice, we're very lucky we're even able to race.

"It's been an interesting year, but we're all better for the challenges we've faced."

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The Nunawading squad has been based at Southport, where the national championships were held this year.

Deacon isn't putting too much pressure on herself given she is on the way back from a groin injury.

"Tokyo is the dream, but for me, I'm looking at more long-term goals," she said.

"I'm just looking to race well, gets some PBs, improve and I'll be happy."

It hasn't been smooth sailing for those outside the high performance squads in Victoria, but South Australian health exemptions have been granted this week to ensure those athletes can still attend the trials.

"I had friends that were trying to get out, but I don't think they were able to in time, which made it very difficult," Deacon added.

Deacon will race the 100m breaststroke on Sunday, with her pet event, the 200m breaststroke, next Wednesday.

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