2013 ESP Elite NRL Cards Thread (Updated 5/8/13)
- Thread starter MarkTomo
- Start date
We all know what they say about opinions, so I'm not going to claim that mine is correct or worth any more than anyone elses'. Having said that, ESP are 0-3 for me. The rep set was an over priced bust, Traders was alright but I don't put it ahead of Select's last Champions set (the retirement cards were very, very nice though) and the other game set which I didn't bother at all with. It isn't all about sigs for me, nor the very high end pieces. I differ from a lot of people here in that I won't go chasing mega dollar cards- I just want consistant action through a box. That might be selfish- I just want something worthwhile for buying a single box- and not appeal to case buyers but like I said, it is simply my opinion.
As for history, I am either blessed or cursed that I only rejoined the hobby last year with Champions 2012 and the simply awesome Dynasty. I understand Select has had troubles in the past and hasn't always done right by collectors so I understand the olds and bolds might have a few wounds but going from two offerings like that to the ESP efforts has been a disappointment. It might have only been the Champions release to some, but to me it was good enough to whet my appetite and rope me in to buying a box of Dynasty which I guess is the whole point of the cheaper sets. I can say that Traders has not had the same effect for me. Even looking at forum activity, it seems to me that nothing has come close to Dynasty since, and the forum is particularly split on ESP with two vocal camps of nay-sayers and optimists with only a few sitting in the middle uncommitted.
Will I give Elite a go? Yup. I'll go that far and see what happens from there.
To leave it on a positive, I thought the starter kits were a great way to move product and I will admit to buying a couple of them when I dropped into the news agent.
They have released 3 dud sets over priced & have lied about what they are releasing & have no idea of what they are releasing...
I personally don't care who produces the NRL cards as long as they are value for money & have plenty of inserts to chase down..
Everybody deserves a fair chance.. I loved Select. From day dot. To days end. They had some crap releases...... (Starting from 2008).. But they had some bloody awesome ones too.. Out of 19 sets (IMO) only 4 sets were complete duds.. 2008-2011 champs.. 2012 champs had a few differences.. Much welcomed.. I love the gold cards..
2000-2001 great start. Some decent sigs.
2002-2003 new ideas. Ff...
2004 cap sigs. Enough said.
2005 two sets. Old revamp (which I Loved!!) & premium.
2006-2008. Consistent sets.
2009 crap champs, saved by cap sigs.
2010 Only champs. No comment.
2011. Champs get sigs. Strike. Made up for 2010 disappointment.
2012. Champs, slight changes, probably best champs release... Then end with Dynasty..... Brilliance..
Select 15/19.
ESP 0/3... or 1/3 Depending on who you talk to....
Select went well for 8 years before we really complained.... ESP has a lot to go up against.......
M
2000-2001 great start. Some decent sigs.
2002-2003 new ideas. Ff...
2004 cap sigs. Enough said.
2005 two sets. Old revamp (which I Loved!!) & premium.
2006-2008. Consistent sets.
2009 crap champs, saved by cap sigs.
2010 Only champs. No comment.
2011. Champs get sigs. Strike. Made up for 2010 disappointment.
2012. Champs, slight changes, probably best champs release... Then end with Dynasty..... Brilliance..
Select 15/19.
ESP 0/3... or 1/3 Depending on who you talk to....
Select went well for 8 years before we really complained.... ESP has a lot to go up against.......
M
#1 Eels fan
a 1 eyed EELS supporter
the biggest problem that everyone had with select is that they became so repetitive, you pretty much knew what you were getting before they released anything, for example was it 5 champions sets with those bobble head gems??? .
What gets me a bit is they didnt renew the NRL licsence and put out 2 really decent sets ???
The only real (annoyingly) repetitive sets were the champions.... The first set was great.
In 2005 they decided on a cheaper more traditional set. Tradition, Accolade, Champions. And the idea was great...... Except they just kept going with the champs which single handedly ruined their reputation.
Had they just stuck with a single premium set they'd probably be fine........
I'd prefer see one "dynasty"'quality set a year than 5 crap releases a year....
Powerplay? Seriously? Even the kids think it's dumb.
In 2005 they decided on a cheaper more traditional set. Tradition, Accolade, Champions. And the idea was great...... Except they just kept going with the champs which single handedly ruined their reputation.
Had they just stuck with a single premium set they'd probably be fine........
I'd prefer see one "dynasty"'quality set a year than 5 crap releases a year....
Powerplay? Seriously? Even the kids think it's dumb.
I think the key to having a set that is loved by collectors is to have a high end insert that has a card for each team. The LLBs were a great idea, it gave every collector a high end card to chase, rather than just the Storm/Broncos/etc fans who usually get looked after.
The 2004 Captains Sigs were a great idea as well for the same reason. If theres only 40 or 50 of each teams top card then they will retain their value, the teams fans will get their prize and the hardcore collectors can be challenged to get the whole set.
The 2004 Captains Sigs were a great idea as well for the same reason. If theres only 40 or 50 of each teams top card then they will retain their value, the teams fans will get their prize and the hardcore collectors can be challenged to get the whole set.
So we now know
League Sensations
- Tim Grant
- Scott Prince
Future ****** (Not sure on subset name, can make out future from the photo but)
- Michael Lichaa
- Tyrone Phillips
for those who missed yesterdays revelations. heres the photos
They are called Future Stars
i hope the base set looks very similar to the sig cards. would be amazing for ip's. and they genuinely look perfect. i think esp have hired some better graphic designers, dont want to get my hopes up too much but this is 3000 times better then there last few sets already
