John Steffensen will get the chance to defend his 400m crown at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games after finishing a gutsy second at the national championships on Saturday night.

Fellow West Australian Ben Offereins continued his unbeaten season, going out extremely hard early in the final and winning in impressive style in 45.17 seconds.

It was Offereins' second national title, but his first since 2005.

Having undergone back surgery 13 weeks ago, Steffensen had wanted to skip the Games trials, before being told by Athletics Australia he risked being left out of the team unless he fronted up at the WA Athletics Stadium.

Steffensen complained of back pain after the semi-finals on Friday, but was able to back up in the final and claim second spot in 45.72 in his first meet since last August.

Joel Milburn was third in 45.75, with defending champion Sean Wroe a disappointing fourth in 45.98.

When asked if he had any words for his critics, Steffensen said: "People that don't understand are going to hate and that is just the way it is.

"I'm not doing this (speaking out) to hurt anybody, I'm doing this for a good cause.

"I am doing this for equality in track and field."

Lachlan Renshaw (800m), Brendan Cole (400m hurdles) and Kimberley Mickle (women's javelin) were among several others to book their spots on the Delhi Games team with victories on Saturday night.

Renshaw, 23, claimed his second national 800m title, winning in 1:46.66 with defending champ Nick Bromley back in fourth place.

Cole lunged on the line to edge out two-time defending champion Tristan Thomas in 50.64 in a thrilling finish to the men's 400m hurdles.

Thomas arrived at the meet underdone, having battled an Achilles complaint.

The victory ensured Cole a spot in his second straight Commonwealth Games team, having finished fifth in Melbourne four years ago.

Mickle won her fifth national javelin title with 60.66m.

In other action, Victorian Kaila McKnight won an exciting women's 1500m final in 4:17.99 ahead of Bridey Delaney and Zoe Buckman.

Running with heavy strapping on her right calf, Georgie Clarke made the early running but limped off the track with 600m to go.

Sprinter Jody Henry was rewarded for making the step up to the 400m with her first national title, finishing second in 52.20 behind Irishwoman Joanne Cuddihy.

Veteran Tamsyn Lewis - who has also qualified for Sunday's 400m hurdles final - was back in fourth place.

Melissa Rollison returned from a long injury layoff to claim the women's 3000m steeplechase title in 10:17.51.

Earlier in the day, rising stars Jeff Riseley and Ryan Gregson set up a classic showdown in Sunday's 1500m final by winning their respective semi-finals.

It will be the first-ever competitive clash between the two middle distance tyros.

"It's so great that Australia is in that position right now and the good thing is that we're all friends, we're all working together to get better and that's how hopefully one day we're going to challenge the best in the world," said the 19-year-old Gregson.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP