I quite like the look of it all. It definatly gives an impression of higher quality than we are used to with the Champions line.
The main complaint with the Champions series was the recycled idea, boring, used, "been there done that".... well this is certainly a breath of fresh air.
It will be interesting to see what the Showtime Holochrome cards look like in person... could be quite a nice effect.
I dont quite understand the idea of the 'mirror image' on the back of the TC cards..... why?
The common cards look great and will be perfect for those who like to get their common cards signed.
Try Machine is a good idea... and the Rookie Standouts are fairly familiar...
Im also intrigued by the stickers/parallels..... where exactly do we stick them? It looks like we basically end up with a silver sticker and a gold card. And with 192 i assume the checklists arent part of this.
All in all i think it looks great... Select look to have done a good job and are on the right track.
Major downside... where are our signatures?! Imagine a continuation of the Star Sigs but with the white/silver scheme of this set... niiiiiice.
I think it looks like a good set! im not keen on collecting stickers tho but hey they mite look ok in the hand...and sigs would have been nice...but all in all a good variety i think
I have just been through 09,10 & 11 champions pricing. I think this is what can roughly be expected based on previous years data and what a box costs.
Base set - $10
Parallel Laser Sticker - $1 each, $140-$180 for a set
Try Machine (1:6) - $3-$4 each
Rookie Standout (1:12) $5-$6 each
Showtime (1:18) $8-$12 each
Triple Champions (1:36) $20-$25 each
These price pretty much make a box break even. What do you guys think?
I am not so sure Owen, take the parallels, 24 in a box that means 8 boxes to open to make a set if collation is perfect and no doubles. You could be looking at 1 1/2 parallel sets in a case? Also, the purists will help to dictate price, some will want a peeled and an unpeeled set.
I am not so worried that there are no sigs in the champions release, the 2011 Champ sigs were way way over priced for a card numbered to 600 and there is enough new material in this release to make it very exciting. With a complete revamp of the champions image what will series 2 include.
Another thing I was very suprised there was no price rise, I was expecting $3.50 a packet, what is it now 5 years and the packet price has only gone up 5 cents, that itself should earn Select a pat on the back.
and Justin, I can't understand why you are so upset about no ET triple centurion card, if anyone should be up in arms its should be the DL fans, I mean at 355 games he of all past players should deserve one.............and you never know what may carry on into the next series.........a triple centurion signature redemption would be nice, some of those players missed in the first series + lets be honest Select does not have the final say in who gets on the cards, that lies with the NRL.
12 chase cards a box - big improvement on last year's 7. So well done on that Select, but shame there isn't a sig or 1:72 to get excited about. But I like the new ideas on the insert sets and the designs look good - particularly the 300 game cards and Showtime. Not so enthused about the rookie designs and the fact many of the players featured in last year's rookie sets.
I don't mind the lack of players who have switched clubs, the headshots and training shots always look rubbish - and it makes series II more desireable. But David Simmons gets a card over Flash Gordon. Really Select? Really?
Base card design looks quite classy for a clearcut, though I do prefer action shots. Hopefully this means we get quality action shots in series II.
Big ups also for (finally) realising checklist cards don't deserve to be at the front of the set. I'll probably get a box and then weight up whether it's more sensible to buy remaining cards I want or a further box.