DELIVERING against his former teammates was a driving factor in Taylor Adams’ starring role for Collingwood on Sunday.

The former Giant collected a game-high 36 disposals, seven inside 50s and seven tackles in the Pies’ 42-point win over the League’s most exciting team.

It came on the back of a week’s rest nursing a toe injury that forced Adams to sit out the Queen’s Birthday clash against Melbourne.

"It's a pretty easy one to get up for," Adams told AFL.com.au.

"I've got a lot of great friendships up there and I certainly wanted to win."

It is well known the young Giants are proficient in dishing out snide verbal remarks and Adams said he was not expecting anything less.

"There were a few jokes here and there, but I'll catch up with a beer with them after the game and we'll laugh about it because I've got some good mates up there," he said.

Adams has slowly become one of the Pies’ most important onballers since moving to the club at the end of the 2013 season.

It followed a two-year stint in western Sydney that began when snapped up with pick No.13 in the 2011 NAB AFL Draft.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley said Adams' progression had been significant in the development and maturation of the side.

"He proved today that he is a legitimate part of our first-choice midfield, because he's a hard contested ball winner in tight and his transition to get to the next contest is really strong," Buckley said post-match.

Adams said his toe complaint was a constant bother early in the season, but he believes he and the medical staff are now on top of the problem.

"We certainly should've managed it a bit earlier, about rounds three or four but I think I'm over that hill now and it's starting to feel really good," he said.

As Buckley knows all too well, it’s important to perform strongly against your old side.

"It's fair to say he would've enjoyed today," Buckley said.