Select Optimum 2021

[KarmaKilla]

Disappointing release for team collectors.
Common cards featuring a bunch of players who have barely played this year, whilst recent recruits and last year's debutants are nowhere to be seen.
Optimum cards featuring the same group of players who have had multiple low level cards in Footy Stars and Prestige.
Draft pick signatures to pick 59 is ridiculous, and then to have three versions is massive overkill.
Really disappointed there are no certified signatures this year - that was a great concept, and the dual signature is too much for my budget.
Headliners & Specialists look okay, but there are some odds names on the list.
And worst of all, making All Australian cards a limited, numbered card, makes something that has been part of Select releases for decades, now a difficult task to complete.

I'm sure flippers will be delirious, but Select risks alienating lower level collectors with these releases. I have been collecting Melbourne cards since the 1980s, but have really struggled to make any progress on series 2 releases in recent years.

Not just Select. The industry world-wide is giving the single finger salute to all low level collectors.
How good is capitalism!!!

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

And worst of all, making All Australian cards a limited, numbered card, makes something that has been part of Select releases for decades, now a difficult task to complete.

I reckon the AA's will end up cheaper, as people treat them like a slightly better AA non numbered (ie worth nothing)

 

[BLOWN8]

Reading some of the comments I have a few more thoughts. The hobby has changed, whether we like it or not. I, like a lot of you have been collecting for 20 years, some of you a lot longer, and the way we have previously collected has changed too, it has had to. For every one collected not happy with this direction and stops collecting there are 2 more cashed up younger collectors entering the hobby. And with the amount of breakers willing to pay double for sealed boxes because they know they can still make good money is where it's at right now. I'm not happy about it either, but it is what it is. I have just resigned to the fact some Hawks cards will never be part of my collection, at first I struggled to get my head around that, but now I have come to terms with it. It's just too expensive for the average collector to try and collect everything, just Prestige on it's own cost me a small fortune. Footy Stars is pretty much now out for me, I'll grab the Marquee style card and that's it. This Dominance looks pretty good, some good aspects and some questionable additions, like most years. Bring back the patch cards in series 2 I say, don't leave them to just a Supremacy type of release, the hobby is ready for more match worn patches.

 

[KarmaKilla]

We all have to be realistic about "the hobby".
I'd love to own every HFC and Horry card, but I am a realist.
The chase still remains but not at a cost the future of me and my family.
Unfortunately some within "the hobby" wont follow this and it will end in tears.
#enjoytheprocess

 

[Theia]

My biggest gripe is the dedicated rookie cards not being included in the set, should take the copper signature place, be nice if they also included players from the rookie draft.

~ Also where's my Jiath cards??

 

[BLOWN8]

My biggest gripe is the dedicated rookie cards not being included in the set, should take the copper signature place, be nice if they also included players from the rookie draft.

~ Also where's my Jiath cards??

CJ will be next year mate, no one anticipated he would have the impact he did this year. Select will be all over it.

 

[cotchin#9]

My biggest gripe is the dedicated rookie cards not being included in the set, should take the copper signature place, be nice if they also included players from the rookie draft.

~ Also where's my Jiath cards??

agree with you 100%... also with the rookie draft thoughts

 

[BJD]

I'm neither here nor there with this release.

The only designs I really like are the Headliners and AA.

One thought I had last night, from a designer's point of view, is that I always associate the design with the name of the release.

When I see the name 'Optimum', I picture something minimalist, slick and things of that nature. The Optimum + and Optimum + Parallel cards are more of a 'heritage' or even 'oriental' style design and don't reflect the name. That's just how I see it. I feel like even with the Optimum logo, it looks really slick and professional, but the cards then reflect more of a Footy Stars release.

Anyway, just my 2 cents, but for $315 a box I think it's worth the purchase considering what's on offer.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

Anyway, just my 2 cents, but for $315 a box I think it's worth the purchase considering what's on offer.

I will definitely be sitting on my SCC box and those I am hoping to get as a birthday present until I see what the avg box looks like.

If it's what I fear and that most avg boxes will be filled with pick 40+ copper junk, then I might let the market decide the value and take them off my hands

 

[ihateupants]

I will definitely be sitting on my SCC box and those I am hoping to get as a birthday present until I see what the avg box looks like.

If it's what I fear and that most avg boxes will be filled with pick 40+ copper junk, then I might let the market decide the value and take them off my hands

I'm going to do exactly this... until I don't do this and just open any boxes I happen to get my hands on because beer+lockdown

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

I'm going to do exactly this... until I don't do this and just open any boxes I happen to get my hands on because beer+lockdown

That's what I keep getting told (that I will cave in and rip them), but I still have sealed boxes watching me

 

[ihateupants]

That's what I keep getting told (that I will cave in and rip them), but I still have sealed boxes watching me

Better man than me. Bet thats why they call you Iron Clad!

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

Better man than me. Bet thats why they call you Iron Clad!

My weakness is cheap retail NBA/NFL

 

[BJD]

I will definitely be sitting on my SCC box and those I am hoping to get as a birthday present until I see what the avg box looks like.

If it's what I fear and that most avg boxes will be filled with pick 40+ copper junk, then I might let the market decide the value and take them off my hands

Each to their own my friend.

I don't buy boxes to sell or trade, I enjoy busting them like the old days. For me, that has never changed.

 

[absti3]

I rarely finish sets anymore but I still aim to collect everything .I have always wanted to maintain this as a hobby . I buy boxes and packs and have only ever bought 1 case back in 2004. But as some have said the hobby has grown to an extent now that is very difficult to finish sets each yr. It has definately changed some of it for the better and some not.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

Each to their own my friend.

I don't buy boxes to sell or trade, I enjoy busting them like the old days. For me, that has never changed.

After a certain price point, I always second guess the bust.

Prestige is pretty much a no brainer though...best stuff

 

[ihateupants]

After a certain price point, I always second guess the bust.

Prestige is pretty much a no brainer though...best stuff

I buy boxes for me but often when a box gets delivered, i realise i dont have the sleeves or toploaders, so i sit on it for a bit, then i get those in and for me, I like to break when I have a good chunk of time to relax and enjoy it. Small kids means that isnt often - so sometimes I can sit on a box for a few months before I open. In todays world that often means the value of the box's (especially NBA) has gone up... I then end up putting them on my shelf where they gather dust - to scared to gamble on the rip and blow that value.. At this point in time they just become 'pass onto the kids one day' stock. It works for me.

 

[Iron Clad Lou]

I buy boxes for me but often when a box gets delivered, i realise i dont have the sleeves or toploaders, so i sit on it for a bit, then i get those in and for me, I like to break when I have a good chunk of time to relax and enjoy it.

If i do break them, I end up doing it at 11:15 on a Tuesday whilst im working from home.

I never just relax and do it on the weekend ;(

 

[Festa1234]

I buy boxes for me but often when a box gets delivered, i realise i dont have the sleeves or toploaders, so i sit on it for a bit, then i get those in and for me, I like to break when I have a good chunk of time to relax and enjoy it. Small kids means that isnt often - so sometimes I can sit on a box for a few months before I open. In todays world that often means the value of the box's (especially NBA) has gone up... I then end up putting them on my shelf where they gather dust - to scared to gamble on the rip and blow that value.. At this point in time they just become 'pass onto the kids one day' stock. It works for me.

I’m interested to hear what sealed boxes you have, you could be sitting on a fortune

 

[absti3]

I used to never wait to open boxes but now I can wait a couple of days , don't think I could ever have a box unopened forever though.