Welcome back… is it just me or did that off season seem to go on forever???

I’m excited once again because the season proper starts in only a matter of weeks… and right now we’re getting a taste of things to come with the NAB Cup and NRL trial matches taking place.

Last time I wrote to you the hottest cards around were the Premiership Predictors, and right now it’s all about the cards the Predictors redeemed.

There are also the Limited Edition Premiership Box Sets for the Geelong Cats and the Melbourne Storm which were released mid November. We will talk about these in the “Card Spotlight” section below.

As the Footy season gets closer, so too does the release of the Series 1 cards from Select Australia (Select).

Select print and produce a number of different series each year. Most often, they produce a “value” set (Champions Series ) which is available through Newsagents, and a “premium” series (released around the middle of the year) which is available only through Hobby stores. Last year the Premium Sets were called Supreme (AFL) and Invincible (NRL).

The differences between the two sets are many, but the most noticeable are the price of the packs, the number of cards in each pack, and the thickness of the card stock (cardboard) on which they are printed.

The value packs retail in Newsagencies for $2.95 per packet for 8 cards (7 cards + 1 holographic foil card), whereas the Premium Hobby set retails for approximately $4.95 per packet and include at least 10 cards (9 Premium cards + an insert card (a die cut card for NRL last year, and a Hall of Fame for AFL).

The thickness of the cardboard or “card stock” as it is known in the printing industry, demonstrates the cards durability. The thicker the card stock the more valuable the card and the less likely it is to get bent or creased.

When you hold the different versions of each set in your hands you can immediately tell the difference in card stock.

I guess the bottom line here is this…

Know what you’re buying… know why you’re buying it, know why one series is priced lower than the other, and make an informed choice from there.

We will not be stocking the Champions Series (if that’s what they are called again) for either the AFL or NRL in 2008.

We have never stocked the Series 1 releases preferring instead to concentrate on the Premium Hobby Series.

I personally don’t think Series 1 is worth the trouble of collecting, and with that in mind I don’t feel comfortable selling them to you.

Of course this won’t stop me from telling you all about them when the information is released.  That I promise I will do.

So far… all we know about the Series 1 release, are approximate release dates.

NRL is due for release Mid March.

AFL is due for release Late March.

In the mean time though, I’ve got my “crystal ball ” out to do a little future gazing… a little speculation on what I think will be offered as part of the Series 1 release in both the AFL and NRL.

So here goes…

Firstly, I predict that Select are predictable!

After going two years in a row with the same name for both the AFL and NRL… my first prediction is that they will continue to call Series 1 “Champions” for a third year running (must be harder than you think to come up with a new name each year?).

So, for the AFL, that means I think they will call it:

2008 AFL Select Champions

Keeping on the same track I predict the price will remain the same at $2.95 per packet, which will get you 7 common cards plus 1 holographic foil card.

That means it’s likely to be a base set of 195 cards, featuring 12 cards for each of the 16 teams and 3 checklist cards.

They are likely to run with the holographic foiled cards again, which will run in parallel to the common set (same images but with a holographic effect again).

I predict they will stick to the Foil PRINTED Signatures (not real signatures) as they did in 2007, which would include 6 players per team inserted 1 card in every 4 packs on average. This would make a 96 card subset.

The AFL Stars Sketch Cards were popular in 2007, so I reckon these will appear again. Still 2 players per team inserted 1 card in every 9 packs which would be a 32 card subset.

Basic Draft Rookie Cards featuring players from the 2007 National Draft will probably be inserted 1 card per Box again — but they won’t be signed … just a photo.

And finally, I reckon the Acetate Gem Cards will return again in 2008. Last year these featured one player from each club, inserted 1 card per Box which will probably happen again. Expect different players to be featured of course though.

I really hope Select have a surprise up their sleeve with Series 1 AFL — something new, something exciting, even something novel to keep collectors on the edge of our seats! I’ve got my fingers crossed anyway.

Now, we move on to the NRL… which is likely to be named:

2008 NRL Select Champions

Again, I predict the price will remain the same at $2.95 per packtet, which will get you 7 common cards plus 1 holographic foiled card.

That’s a base set of 195 cards, featuring 12 cards for each of the 16 teams and 3 checklist cards.

Holographic foil cards will again run in parallel to the common set, but it might not include all the checklists.

I am really hopeful the NRL is spared the PRINTED signatures again this year, but there is every possibility they COULD be included.

I’m expecting to see more NRL Stars Sketch Cards, probably 2 players per team, inserted 1 card in every 9 packs again.

The Award Winner Cards will make another appearance, featuring winners from the 2007 Dally M Awards inserted 1 card in every 18 packets. Select will probably include somewhere between 5 and 8 Award Winner cards this year.

The Acetate Gem Cards will make another return. These were popular in 2007, and will likely feature one player from each club again — inserted 1 card per Box.

I’ve again got my fingers crossed for a surprise from Select… hoping for the best.

So there you have it. My fearless predictions for Series 1 in 2008.

Next month we can take a look and see just how close my predictions were to reality. Anyone care to have a little wager?

As soon as we get full confirmation of what IS included in the complete release I will let you know and share it here.

And as always… we will post a copy of the Promotional Flyer on our site for you to see… even though we won’t be stocking the product… just in case you’re curious.

Enjoy this month’s newsletter. I’ll catch you again next month.

Ian