First thing that needs addressing: Team Zone. I want cards that look like this:
http://thumbs1.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mjjUFbN528VEI8v-CtT1w4w.jpg Action! Not what we currently have. I mean, look at the 2013 golds and look again at the 2014 commons, what is the difference? 2014 had many cards looking the same, but with a different print. The prize cards don’t look that much different from the golds this season. I like the shiny backs, but the prizes and golds look too similar.
Design wise, there isn’t much wrong, it’s just that they shouldn’t be together in the same set.
Anyway, onto what 2015 should have. I would like to see an increase to 216 players, and have the extra 18 be first year players. It’s a risk, yes, but it would be great to see. I still think it will be 198 for at least one more season. Commons and Golds need to have a visible difference in their pictures (See action shot for golds as noted above). I kinda like the silver/team colour hybrid used for this year.
I suspect B&Fs are going to remain a Herald Sun staple, giving you a chance to win prize cards prior to the start of the season. I get the feeling Captains are going to be dropped purely out of Teamcoach tradition to keep them for every even year. Flix and Pointers will stay. I suspect we might see Footy Pals for digital only (Yes, Footy Pals were in digital form similar to Select’s digital cards. You had a digital Footy Pal for every player that you could customise.)
I also suspect we might not see any new innovations until 2016, just more a tinkering of what is currently on offer, till the balance is right. Although I can’t help but think there might be ‘effect’ cards coming soon, that is, cards that exaggerate certain physical traits/abilities of players (like a speeding Cyril Rioli with flame effects.Jeremy Howe jumping over a human pyramid to mark or a growing Aaron Sandilands, where you just tilt the card and he grows.)
Alright, it seems silly, but I think that’s more in the ‘spirit’ of Teamcoach, they tell more about a player (This guy is quick, or this guy takes a great mark, ect.) rather than going for a Case Card (Which I agree, it should be the Premiership/Brownlow winner, but it will be in the box for anyone to get). Sig and numbered cards are not Teamcoach. The intent is meant to be ‘fun and collectable.’ That fits more with Select. The intended audience are going to find more fun in getting their cards signed by players as opposed to a pre-signed card.
I like the idea of the checklists with the club colour foil lining. It would be like the 2008 prize checklists, but in the club colours (That would’ve made those checklists even more awesome).
For some reason, I predict 2015's colour to be Purple. I tipped Orange for 2014 and Yellow for 2013... so who knows?
In terms of what should be in the series, I think 2014 did a good job. It has a nice range of cards (Commons, Silvers, Golds, Pointers, Flix, Pals, Checklists, Magic, Star, 3Ds, Stickers, Quiz, Prize. 13 types! 9 in your packs) In terms of the design, I think a little more work needs to be done. I think we agree that 2013's design choices were better. There was some good design in 2014, but more needs to be done to make it unique. Bring back the action!
