Wallace was in Queensland on an off-season fishing trip when he fell on some rocks and sliced his hand open, damaging his tendons.

When he couldn’t move his fingers, he knew something was up.

“I was up in Queensland, caught a few fish, but it didn’t end too well,” Wallace said.

“Slipped on some rocks, put my hand out and cut my fingers on oysters.

“I wish it was a good story, but there wasn’t much in it.

“I was hoping it would only need stitches, but I couldn’t move my fingers, so I knew I had done something.”

Surgery ensued and it was believed the 31-year-old could miss the start of the 2017 season.

“I had to get a tendon repaired, but it’s all sweet,” he said.

Wallace returned to pre-season training, albeit a little embarrassed.

“You get through the season unscathed, go away on holidays and hurt yourself,” Wallace said.