In 2016, from Round 2-8 Wallace had a temporary and successful shift from to hooker. In Round 9 of the 2016 NRL season, Wallace kicked the match winning field goal in the Panthers 19-18 win against the Canberra Raiders. Wallace would return to the hooker role after James Segeyaro was dropped to NSW cup. Wallace played his 200th NRL career game in Round 16, against the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the Panthers 28-26 win. Playing well at his new found position, Wallace signed a two-year deal with the club on 25 July 2016, extending his contract with the Panthers to the end of 2018. Playing an instrumental part in helping the Panthers reach the finals, he finished off the year as the Panthers most experienced player and their first-choice hooker. He played in all 26 games scoring 5 tries, kicking 3 goals, and 1 field goal.