NRL Collectors Feedback Wanted!

Matt26 · Aug 7, 2014

Hi everyone,

I wanted to run something past our many NRL collectors to get your thoughts on.

***Firstly let me preface this by saying that this is a hypothetical question only, and as far as I am aware ESP has absolutely no plans to release something like this***

My question is, If ESP were to release a one off high end limited edition card (max #/50 copies per card) like Select did with its Lockyer/Dugan/Hodkinson Auto cards sold direct to the public, would you be interested in them?

These cards wouldn’t be considered part of the standard mass market Traders or Elite releases.

They would be a one off card that is either an auto/multiple auto/jersey or patch card sold direct to collectors.

Here are 3 examples of the type of card I am talking about:

1) A Dual Signature Card of the State Of Origin Captains #/50
2) A Dally M Medallist Signature Card #/50
3) A Game Worn Jersey/Patch card from some of the Top NRL Players (Think Slater/Inglis/Hayne/Gallen/DCE etc.) #/99

The possibilities are endless for something like this and we are only talking about a couple of cards (max 5) being released each year.

So the question is, would you collect them and if you had a blank canvas, what cards would you like to see made?

Love to hear your thoughts!

Cheers
Matt

GoMoto · Aug 7, 2014

If they are going to release 5 cards a year max, why not make it into a super high end series release. In Basket ball terms - like Natinal Treasure cards.

Personally, l think the 1 off releases are cash grabs and the card value is questioned.

Just my opinion.

joeyhonson · Aug 7, 2014

No doubt about it, would love to see something like that available to collectors. The 3 examples you have mentioned above are great ideas.

The one big idea I have is to do a "Club Legends" signature series with 1 "Club Legend" card being released each year from each club.

I understand there are complexities involved, both from a licensing, contractual and sponsorship viewpoint, but if someone was able to sit down and work through those issues then I think it would be well worth while.

I also understand that it is more difficult to get players from the newer clubs.

Also, I know we already do a Premiership set, but how about a Limited Ed signed Premiership set? They could be done similar to the sig cards currently in Elite (obviously need a unique design, maybe with the premiership trophy watermarked in the background). Don't need the extra cards like the try scorers etc, just the players and the coach. The back of each card would simply have the result and the stats for that game.

That's my 2 bobs worth.

Matt26 · Aug 7, 2014

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Knights4Life · Aug 7, 2014

Im always happy seeing new Knights cards, although it just makes my collection that much bigger and harder to fill lol

Jaede · Aug 7, 2014

Yes i would collect them, i would also loved to see them release a father son card (Eric Grothe Snr/Eric Grothe jnr card)

Lazlow · Aug 7, 2014

If it were within ESP's scope to these cards, I'd rather they were in packs.

1. Not all collectors can afford a high end single, but all collectors can at least buy a pack. I prefer the idea that all cards are fair game for everyone.

2. If you sell them separately online, then you have instances where people are buying several purely to flip them on the secondary market once they sell out, for double/triple/quadruple the original price.

Fleer_retro_collector_aus · Aug 7, 2014

Yes it would be great to do.

Matt26 · Aug 7, 2014

Lazlow said:
If it were within ESP's scope to these cards, I'd rather they were in packs.

1. Not all collectors can afford a high end single, but all collectors can at least buy a pack. I prefer the idea that all cards are fair game for everyone.

2. If you sell them separately online, then you have instances where people are buying several purely to flip them on the secondary market once they sell out, for double/triple/quadruple the original price.

Hi mate,

Totally agree with you on the top point about having them in packs where possible, however if you did start including some of these items in packs you would definately see the price of packs rise as well or other content left out to cover those costs.

Thanks for the feedback.

Cheers
Matt

Lazlow · Aug 7, 2014

Matt26 said:
Hi mate,

Totally agree with you on the top point about having them in packs where possible, however if you did start including some of these items in packs you would definately see the price of packs rise as well or other content left out to cover those costs.

Thanks for the feedback.

Cheers
Matt

tbh i don't see why. The hypothetical cards being discussed are not all to different than what's been done in the past with no dramatic price hike or drop in insert diversity.

Smith and Gallen have signed individually before, so having a dual Origin captains auto /50 in packs doesn't sound all that impossible.

Dally M sigs were a redemption in the past weren't they?

I wasn't too fussed on those Smith/Gallen parallel case cards because it all looked like a bit of a cash grab for a card that would have cost marginally more to produce the regular case card.

The card producer setting an asking price is not the same as the market determining a value based on scarcity and demand.

thenamesgould · Aug 7, 2014

I'd love the chance to buy a few more signature or memorabilia Knights cards, no matter how they were released.

However I think a lot of collectors are quite financially stretched as it is at the moment. So sets that cost several hundred would be a little off-putting.

The Mad Hatter · Aug 7, 2014

I'd like to see posh 25 card team sets for the club - in a binder, and numbered. OR, even do 'Club Legend' sets that you build on - so 2-3 cards released a year, or something like that.

Hell, I'd like the clubs to go direct to ESP and have team sets made for their (kids) members. Souths did it for a couple of years in 2012/13 - junior member 5 card sets - one per child member.

But as it is, the hobby needs help and dollars are stretched with all the releases. I thought the NSW SoO was a bit rich. Sure it works out at $4 per card or some such (and hell, it even had TWO checklists), but there's Traders, Powerplay, Elite, SoO, Premiers…goodness knows if they do another rep set.

Diggaz TC · Aug 7, 2014

tbh i don't see why. The hypothetical cards being discussed are not all to different than what's been done in the past with no dramatic price hike or drop in insert diversity.

The 2012 Limited Series had patch cards...the price per pack was $8 for that series. which was significantly higher than anything we had seen before in NRL cards. That series also had no inserts apart from a small parallel set and the patch/Sig cards.

Matt26 · Aug 7, 2014

Digeze said:
The 2012 Limited Series had patch cards...the price per pack was $8 for that series. which was significantly higher than anything we had seen before in NRL cards. That series also had no inserts apart from a small parallel set and the patch/Sig cards.

These weren't game worn or numbered either and the hits in this release were very hard to come by if you were busting packs.

Thanks again for the feedback

Matt26 · Aug 7, 2014

thenamesgould said:
However I think a lot of collectors are quite financially stretched as it is at the moment. So sets that cost several hundred would be a little off-putting.

Agreed, that's why I think releasing a couple of higher end single cards towards the end of the year after elite has been sold might work?

Thanks for the feedback!

thenamesgould · Aug 7, 2014

Matt26 said:
Agreed, that's why I think releasing a couple of higher end single cards towards the end of the year after elite has been sold might work?

Thanks for the feedback!

Yep, I can only speak for myself, but I think it would work perfectly! Mad Hatter's suggestion of a Club Legend series that builds upon itself each year is a great one, I think.

Sharky · Aug 7, 2014

every now and then i watch a case/box break of NBA NHL or NBL higher end cards from panini, topps etc and often see an hit like those Rookie/patch/auto Booklets and think how awesome something like that would be for NRL a Nice large Patch on One side and Auto on the other or imagine pulling a Melbourne storm "Big Three" Auto Patch Booklet or a Halves Combo Autograph Booklet for every team 6 on one side 7 on the other.

Something along those lines would be a great piece to own but i dont think i would pay for it if it was the only one produced as a limited run.

Matt26 · Aug 7, 2014

thenamesgould said:
Yep, I can only speak for myself, but I think it would work perfectly! Mad Hatter's suggestion of a Club Legend series that builds upon itself each year is a great one, I think.

I really love that idea....tie it in with some of the proceeds going to the men of league foundation and you would have a huge winner!

The Mad Hatter · Aug 7, 2014

One last thing, I'd like to see cards for players at clubs that no longer exist - like Rod Wishart at Illawarra Steelers. Respect to the past; a nod for the history buffs amongst us collectors.

Matt26 · Aug 7, 2014

Sharky said:
every now and then i watch a case/box break of NBA NHL or NBL higher end cards from panini, topps etc and often see an hit like those Rookie/patch/auto Booklets and think how awesome something like that would be for NRL a Nice large Patch on One side and Auto on the other or imagine pulling a Melbourne storm "Big Three" Auto Patch Booklet or a Halves Combo Autograph Booklet for every team 6 on one side 7 on the other.

Something along those lines would be a great piece to own but i dont think i would pay for it if it was the only one produced as a limited run.

Would be cool if ESP had a rookie photo shoot where they got some rookies together at least get some event worn material from them and then made rookie patch autos!

Cheers
Matt

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