NRL Collectors Feedback Wanted!

Matt26 said:

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!

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Kangaroos would be great.

There's 785+ to chose from.

The Mad Hatter said:

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.

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Never underestimate the value of nostalgia to NRL fans.... So many past players I'd love to see sign... Greats of the game NRL anyone?

Matt26 said:

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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that would be pretty good insert series for any release!

Even if you picked 5-10 players from EACH club…currently that's a 80-160 cards.

Then there's Newtown, Illawarra, Balmain, Western Suburbs, North Sydney, Glebe, Annandale.

Not sure about University, Sth Qld Crushers, Gold Coast Giants/Seagulls/Chargers, Adelaide, Western Reds…but maybe.

A purely Kangaroo 'Legend' Set of about 110 cards would be fantastic - the usual suspects and more!

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.

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Don't I know it, 3 packs to only pull a damaged Hayne parallel.

But that felt like a poorly conceived release, as if ESP wanted to come out of the blocks with a US style hit laden product.

If we're hypothesizing about selling 1 or 2 short printed patch cards online, I don't see why they can't be included as a redemption, as they have done in the past.

I would like this. There are some players that go thru the game that don't get a sig card. I would love a sig card of several players. Or even have sig card of past players too.

I think if these are sold they need to be one per person( stops other sellers or stops ppl from holding onto them, waiting for market dry up and then sell at high price (heard of this happen In US baseball market)

club legends the player who has played most games for their club

joemistos said:

club legends the player who has played most games for their club

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At least - ET - Cronulla, Menzies - Manly, Sutton - Souths, Ricketson - Easts, Hornby - Stg-Illawarra, Hindmarsh - Parramatta, Lockyer - Broncos, Elmasri - Dogs.

Nice start just there.

I might be unpopular for this, but I would hate it if ESP did a short print sale like this.

First of all I'll clarify that I can completely acknowledge that for team collectors, releases like this are a nice way to get short print cards from their clubs without having to pay massive money you would for something similar from pack busts.

However, I'm a master set collector so naturally think from a different perspective

To me card collecting is about opening packs and mystery. I see sales like this as cash grabs that are not healthy to the hobby overall. I also think that the creativity and licensing etc dedicated to this would be at the detriment of the packaged content we all look forward to.

A short-print card is valuable to me because of the unlikelihood of busting it, for me short print doesn't mean the same to me when it is first in first served with a fat wallet. I also think that busting a short-print from a pack is a massively exciting and financially valuable score. I think that purchases of one-off cards devalues the gravity and 'epic-ness' of what short-print traditionally means in this hobby. The parallel case cards for Elite last year are a good example. They are now not worth as much as what people paid for them and it would be arguable to say that they do not have the appeal a #/50 card should have.

Somebody mentioned an elite set like we have parallels to in basketball. I think this has merit if you received say 5 short print cards including an auto and a patch/memorabillia provided that the contents were hidden and random.

I also like the fact there is a lull period in the off season when no product is released. It gives collectors the opportunity to 1/ re-stock their finances 2/ fill gaps in previous collections, which supports the ability to buy and sell at decent availabilty and prices on here and Ebay & 3/ parallel to the NRL season, which gives us the anticipation of the NRL starting again in March knowing that footy and cards are on their way after a time to refresh and build excitement.

My preference would be for all innovation and excitingly scarce cards to be within the confines of the major packet releases.

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

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I think the packet is dear enough as it is. Increasing the packet price would be to shoot them self in the foot with there foot missing toes as it is. The idea must be placed in the packets as to entice more people to buy them and to sell out of the release. This will not happen if you put the price up. Making following series more productive and more profitable. This is what is wrong with companies today they think they can make a million overnight. They must throw some crumbs out there to sell the jam and cream biscuits. The first 3 ideas have been thought of before. I would not recommend flogging a dead horse. As there are more people tending to go for team collecting some of the dual sig cards have 2 different teams on them. Not something people would prefer. I like the idea joey had. Club legends although a couple a year in the same release. Increase the case price by a small margin not the packet. Limit them to 50 and keep collectors keen We are seeing the effects of over supplying and making them to redi available already. Prices are dropping way to quick to many. There are not 130 collectors for the 1 sig cards. Especially with 16 of them in total. To Many

I would be gutted to miss out on a limited release just because I was number 51 in the queue, or didn't know it was on. As has been said above, I want to at least be in with a chance.

But if a club legend/award winner/whatever series was introduced, I would like to see ESP work with the clubs and NRL to offer it to members/collectors on a pre-order basis.
Club members could order one of their club's card or a complete set, or collectors could register with the NRL/ESP for similar. I acknowledge there would be some teething issues, but collectors would learn to get with the program or miss out!

This may not be as exclusive as a numbered limited release, but it does reward the serious collectors and club members.

The Mad Hatter said:

At least - ET - Cronulla, Menzies - Manly, Sutton - Souths, Ricketson - Easts, Hornby - Stg-Illawarra, Hindmarsh - Parramatta, Lockyer - Broncos, Elmasri - Dogs.

Nice start just there.

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Jason Croker, Mark Miniciello, Cam Smith, Bowen, Carter, Farah, Stacey Jones, Buderus round out that list

The Mad Hatter said:

Jason Croker, Mark Miniciello, Cam Smith, Bowen, Carter, Farah, Stacey Jones, Buderus round out that list

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Could probably do without another Buderus or Johns sig card for the Knights though ... Harragon or Butterfield would be nice!

Club legends is definately a must for me, as it brings back older, fan favourites, rather than the A typical current players, which in turn re-invigorates the past year sets.

When I met Terry at the Brisbane card show I mentioned how cool a club legends / club heroes signature set would be.

For me personally I would love an Alan Tongue or Jason Croker signature.

The more 'nostalgic' a release is the more it would appeal to the genuine Rugby League enthusiasts who not only love the game but also enjoy the history etc. I think this is why IMO 08 Centenary is the best release ever and will not be beaten, despite a larger than standard release the one per box foil sig inserts still hold their value quite well in the $35-$45 range.

Matt26 said:

Thanks for the feedback guys!

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as long as there are a maximum of only 2 purchases per person, otherwise you will have dealers and people with money to burn purchasing all the cards and then charging collectors a higher cost, like in the past, how does that sit with proper collectors.
I would buy a set especially if they were numbered and I could have set numbered 36.

The Mad Hatter said:

At least - ET - Cronulla, Menzies - Manly, Sutton - Souths, Ricketson - Easts, Hornby - Stg-Illawarra, Hindmarsh - Parramatta, Lockyer - Broncos, Elmasri - Dogs.

Nice start just there.

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Small point but most games for St George is Billy Smith.....................

I don't care what they have to do... bring in jersey cards!!!

Good in theory but I'm not sure how you would limit buyers to 1 or 2 sets, I have at least 7 credit cards / accounts in different names I could use, without even asking friends and family.

I'm undecided on this so wont vote.

I like the romantic idea of a signed legends set added to each year but I'm also a bit like James in that I don't really need another Gasnier, Raper or Langland's card. It's also a struggle already to keep up with the number of releases coming at us to add yet another high end one every year. That said I would buy or at least add to the Want list any St George card released.

Ross

hobo said:

Small point but most games for St George is Billy Smith.....................

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Actually, Norm Provan has most First Grade games for St George, Billy Smith has most grade games for St George. Hornby has most games for St George Illawarra (and in turn, Saints).