Coming off his best season as a GIANT, Rhys Palmer hopes he can earn a new contract extension once, in his own words, the club's "superstars" have been secured.

After suffering a hamstring injury in this year's round one victory over the Sydney Swans, Palmer played 16 consecutive games upon his return - his best run since winning the NAB AFL Rising Star Award with Fremantle back in 2008.

Off contract at the end of 2015, the 25-year-old hopes a similar return this coming year will allow him to extend his stay in western Sydney.

However, he believes new deals for highly sought-after GWS youngsters like Jeremy Cameron, Dylan Shiel and Adam Treloar, also off contract in 2015, are the priority.

"I think 'SOS' (GWS list manager Stephen Silvagni) is too busy running around chasing the superstars," Palmer told AFL.com.au.

"At the end of the day your footy does the talking for you and if you're playing good footy, you're going to get signed up.

"I just need to come back in good nick and hopefully that takes care of itself."

The seventh pick in the 2007 NAB AFL Draft, staying in good nick has been a problem for Palmer ever since he claimed that rising star award with the Dockers.

He managed just five appearances the following season due to a serious knee injury and didn't play more than 15 games in any of the next four years.

Playing through the midfield during the build-up to 2014, the hamstring injury put him on the back foot once again, reverting to a half-forward role once he returned.

And he responded with some excellent football, kicking 23 goals while doing some negating roles on players the calibre of Grant Birchall and Nick Dal Santo.

"To string 16 games together, after getting injured in round one, I played my role which was really important," he said.

"(GWS coach) Leon (Cameron) gives me a role every week to hold my spot and it's given me the confidence to go out and play the game.

"I'm very happy with how things are going and looking forward to next year as well."

Palmer has copped some criticism at times in relation to that rising star award, which he claimed ahead of Cyril Rioli and Trent Cotchin.

It is largely unfair, as Palmer finished one vote off the maximum in a year when he played 20 games and averaged more than than 23 disposals as a teenager.

Either way it doesn't bother Palmer, who cherishes the award and is now after some team success.

Through seven seasons, he is yet to play in a final.

"I think Cyril got a few injuries that year, Trent Cotchin got a few injuries, and you see where they are now," Palmer said.

"It was very humbling, it's something I'll have the rest of my life, but I'm looking for team success.

"It's not about individual stuff, it's about team success and winning a flag.

"Hopefully we can start regularly taking it up to the big sides."

Leon Cameron is pleased with Palmer's progress, and so too is his original GWS coach, Kevin Sheedy.

"I thought he improved this year and did some really good jobs for the team," Sheedy said.

"When you think about being a top early draft pick and winning the rising star award, for those players it's usually about attacking play and winning the ball.

"Not many that get picked up early end up as the defensive type.

"He's been able to change his game and add a bit of flexibility to his style of footy."

Like many, Palmer was sceptical when he first heard of the expansion GIANTS and queried whether anyone would want to go there.

Three years later and the former West Australian happily calls Sydney home.

And he is hopeful his best football remains in front of him.

"No doubt," he said. "Every year you're looking to build and add new strings to your bow.

"This year I found a few, kicking goals while shutting down opponents. Next year I want to improve on that, maybe play back through the midfield.

"The key is being fit during the summer and just being ready to get selected."