"If I can look back on this season and see where I've come from...I've become a football player as opposed to a guy learning," Wallace told Tiffany Cherry on SEN's The Hen House.
"I knew I was coming here as a way behind AFL player. Even VFL, even local footy and kids playing Auskick knew more about the game than I did."
Playing for the North Ballarat reserves, Wallace has improved dramatically over several months and has his teammates and coaches to thank.
"In training I'm learning from the best every day; Drew Petrie, Aaron Black and Robbie Tarrant, they're teaching me how to play the role of a forward," Wallace said.
"I'm picking Brett Allison's brain every day and my development coaches Josh Drummond and John Lamont."
Developing his game has been a steady process, but his patience and hard-work is beginning to be recognised.
"I'm finally presenting another target for the guys at training. Boomer (Brent Harvey) and Wellsy (Daniel Wells) said to me not so long ago that now they don't mind kicking it to me and receiving a kick from me.
"I'm learning two positions at the same time. I feel like ruck is a pretty natural position for me, a lot of basketball tie over, but I do really enjoy forward.
"Ruck, you feel a lot more involved, you've got your hands on the ball, you're dictating the stoppages. But I would like to become a consistent forward and be able to kick a couple of goals."
In his first season, Wallace has immersed himself in everything AFL and devoted his time to improving as a footballer.
"I became a student of the game. I decided I'm here, I'm on the other side of the word, I'm going to roll my sleeves up and make the most of it."
"I watched every single finals game last year...I was dedicated to see as much as I could. Now I'm learning to improve as opposed to learning the game and the fundamentals."
Wallace has been encouraged by Majak Daw's progress and hopes to one day make his debut for North.
"He's a big inspiration for me. He hasn't really played that many years of football himself so to see his improvement he's made on his body and his football over the last four years is a big inspiration. Being at his first game against the Brisbane Lions, that fairy-tale opening was amazing.
"For me, it's just be ready whenever. Who knows what happens, maybe one day Brad Scott calls my name up."
