The Greater Western Sydney GIANTS have made just one change to their side for the round two match against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night.

Midfielder Rhys Palmer has been rewarded for his strong form for the UWS GIANTS in the NEAFL and will play his first match for the GIANTS this season.

The 24-year-old replaces young midfielder Taylor Adams who'll miss the match due to a hip injury.

Palmer played 15 games for the GIANTS last season and has been named on the bench for the GIANTS, who lost to the Swans by 30 points in the Battle of the Bridge at ANZ Stadium.

GIANTS Head Coach Kevin Sheedy said it was the most settled the GIANTS side had been since the club entered the AFL last year.

"We think we've been in some good form since the practice match against St Kilda so we're trying to settle the team down a lot and given them confidence in performing together," Sheedy said.

"We want our boys to get used to having a teammate next to them more than they did last year, when we had multiple changes week in and week out. It's great to welcome back Rhys (Palmer) who's got plenty of experience having played close to 70 AFL games."

The GIANTS will join Port Adelaide in paying tribute to former Collingwood and Port Adelaide player John McCarthy on Saturday night.

"It's going to be a magnificent tribute match for John McCarthy who unfortunately lost his life. It's always difficult when you lose a member of the AFL family," said Sheedy.

"He had a big career ahead of him and we'll wear black arm bands and stand for a minutes silence out of respect for the young man and his family who will still be suffering."

The GIANTS play Port Adelaide for the Diversity Shield, sponsored by Transfield Services, which is awarded to the winner of the first match of the season between the two clubs.