LEON Cameron won't apologise for Greater Western Sydney's meteoric rise to this year's preliminary final in just its fifth season in the competition.

The Giants face the Western Bulldogs at Spotless Stadium on Saturday, with the visitors overwhelming sentimental favourites, particularly in the game's Victorian heartland.

Mega-preview: Giants v Bulldogs

The GWS coach had no issue with supporters jumping on the bandwagon of his former club, given the Bulldogs' lack of flag success and poor record in preliminary finals.

The Bulldogs have won just one flag in 1954, and haven't made the Grand Final since 1961, winning just one of the 10 prelims they've contested.

However, Cameron had no time for any anti-Giants sentiment that has emerged as the League's newcomers stormed to within one win of a Grand Final. 

"I'm not here to apologise for our young club having some success early," he said.

"I think the Adelaide Crows played in a prelim in their third year, the West Coast Eagles were in a prelim final in their fourth year, and won a Grand Final in their sixth year. 

"It's a topic at the moment but it'll move on next week and the week after, and this time next year there'll be something else to talk about.

"We're a young club finding our way. We've had a really good, successful season thus far, but prelim finals are really hard to win.

"I understand that the Dogs have been in a number of prelim finals in the past 15 to 20 years, and they're going to be excited about their chances."

Cameron selected Rhys Palmer to replace the suspended Steve Johnson in the Giants' forward line, the first line-up change he's made since the club's round 22 clash with Fremantle at Spotless Stadium.

The 2008 NAB AFL Rising Star winner hasn't played senior footy since the Giants' loss to Collingwood in round 16, but has been dominant at NEAFL level, averaging more than 37 possessions in his seven games, while kicking 21 goals, and starring in the reserves' Grand Final win a fortnight ago.

Palmer also played the floating half-forward role well earlier this season, when he kicked 13 goals in six games from rounds 3-9.

While the West Australian might lack the star factor Johnson brings to the field, the coach said it was pointless to compare the pair. 

"Steve (Johnson) has obviously had a terrific year in terms of hitting the scoreboard, and helping our young forwards out, but Rhys (Palmer) does that as well," Cameron said.

"We feel as though his hardness at the footy and ability to put pressure on is going to come to the fore, which is exactly what we need.

"It's actually his first final, but he's played for eight or nine years, and he's got over 120 games under his belt, so he doesn't get overawed by big games.

"There's no doubt he's hungry to play and put his best foot forward."

While Palmer has been rewarded for his consistent form and gets a well-deserved opportunity, he will play with the shadow of Johnson hanging over him, with the triple premiership Cat certain to be recalled should GWS get over the Dogs. 

Cameron said he hasn't felt the need to sit down with the 27-year-old this week, instead preferring to focus on the opportunity in front of him.

"We definitely haven't touched on that because anything can happen," he said.

"We saw in the final last week with the (Sydney) Swans, how ferocious they were at the footy, (how) committed they were to the contest and getting the job done, has forced a change.

"There'll be some casualties on the weekend because everyone will go that hard it won't be funny.

"He's just got to go about his business, and if he plays his role, and we're lucky enough to get through, we'll look at that next week.

"He's not worried about next week, he's determined to come in and do everything he can as part of the 22, to get the job done."