To count down one week til the release of Series II, I thought I'd do a review on the incoming series according to the final sell sheet in comparison to what I was initially wishing for.
* Actual insets in italics and rating as based on actual incoming series NOT my own of course lol.
INSETS
All Time Greats Gold (ATG1-220); 1 per pack _(Certified 460)
As I was hoping there is going to be a parra set for the first time in a series ii set since 2010 or 2012 for the last ruby league set by select. Throughout the previews I know that's what the 460 was going to be and kind of cool they will be individually numbered also. So over all, a compromise between my idea of a 1
ack non-numbered parra set and a 1:9 numbered set to /250 making this actual sub series challenging but not that unrealistic to build. Should also point out Select has seemed to have listened to me in terms of making the common set variant in terms of plenty of different players to the footy stars but keeping some high profile ones as well. Well done Select lol. Overall rating 9.5/10
All Time Greats Platinum (ATP1-220); individually numbered to 250_(Team Leaders; 112; 1:12)
As there will not be a third parra set (fortunately for many lol) For this TL set, an inset with an abundance like 112 should be individually numbered. The flyer does not specify that TL set will be #IN and nor is anyone suggesting it will be in this forum and must say, that is quite a sheer worry LOL. Overall rating 9/10 if #IN or only 4.5/10 if not lol
Platinum Sketch cards (PSK1-36); 2 per club; 2 per box_(Rookie Cards; 70; 1:18 /240)
The look I really like about this set is this inset is based on the current season we are in now unlike many if not most to all previous releases containing cards to to with the previous year and therefore I take my hats of to Select in that regard. Also like love way this series is equivalent to the Brownlow Distinctions from last year but a totally different concept thus 30 less cards and still highly challenging it will be to build and also convenient to the team set collectors. Overall rating 9/10
Premiership Predictors + Best & Fairest consultation Redemption (PP/BF1-18); 1 per Box_(Premiership Redemption 1:432)
An oldie but a goodie and although, not quite like what I was ultimately wishing for, series II would not be one with this same old card and thumbs up to the fact, this release will only have 12 boxes or 432 packs as opposed to 16 boxes or 576 which makes this card something slightly different IMO. Overall rating 6.5/10
All Australian (AA1-22); individually numbered to 450; 1 per Box_(1:6 assuming no IN)
As I've mentioned previously, this concept has certainly done its time but nonetheless still needs to be an inset for such hit ratio it is so therefore Select is forgiven IMO. Overall rating 5.5/10
Frontier Certified Signatures (FCS1-50); individually numbered to 200; 1 per Box_(SCS Signatures; 1:36 /240)
So this is the answer to the anticipated high end on signature and hats off again to Select. Love the way this accumulates all 18 clubs with all high profile players and lower number in copies than last year and exact same design. Also love the way 2015 Honours 2 SCS siggies will still speak for themselves and will not detract from this series however I do hope that Select will introduce a new signature concept for 2017 series II IMO. Overall rating 10/10 if this is final mark of this concept and design or 7.5/10 if it corresponds into 2017 onward lol.
Club Captains Platinum Patch (CCP1-25); individually numbered to 200; 1:72 packs_(SCS Signatures or MWG Unsigned)
Refer to other inset reviews but so to speak, some captains depicted in signatures at least
2015 Award Winners (AW1-5) individually numbered to 600; all 5 cards hit over 1 factory case (1:72; probably no #IN)
Not quite what I was wishing for however at least not completely inaccurate due to this inset being beyond 1 box search, which I will not complain about. Overall rating: 7/10 due to 1:72 instead of 1:36
Redemption cards; 1:288 packs (Match Worn Guernseys - 4 cards; unsigned #200 & signatures #50); (Triple Norm Smith Three-peat Signature #200; 1 card- Lake/Hodge/Junior) (9; unsigned #160 & signatures #80)
I was hoping for a quad-centurion concept (one for Boomer and one for Dustin) for the jersey cards thus not to mention one for Nat Fyfe (BM) and an Adam Goodes general tribute concept purely because he deserved one IMO. Nonetheless this concept is what is is. Overall rating 8/10
Club Captains Double Platinum Patch (CDP1-25); individually numbered to 50; 2 per factory case_(Footy Finest #80)
While I was ultimately wishing for a card equivalent to the NRL Black LL cards from 2012, this is what I look to be getting instead. Must say an excellent substitute however I just hope that 2017 Series II will NOT be a purely corresponding release to this years series II. Just hope a new high end concept is created for Certified 17 or whatever it will be named. Will rate this in 12 months time as it looks LOL.
Overall rating: 8.5/10
To sum this all up, Select seemed to have listened to our ideas (or mine at least) and have created some highly decent substitutes considering I was wishing this incoming series would be like ruby league 2012 Dynasty inclusive of Gold and Black LL concepts however, I just hope that Certified 17 (next seasons mid year release) will either axe Footy Finest or introduce a new high end card to accumulate Gold Coast and GWS simply due to the fact just one Suns and/or one Giants jersey card will not satisfy me enough to get my hands on it LOL