We quite often get emails from people looking for a particular footy card, but sometimes it can be difficult to give them a straight answer.

This year in particular there have been so many types of football cards released into the market that even we have trouble keeping up with them sometimes.

We thought it was time to prepare a short guide to the different types of footy cards in the market.

Before we begin however, just a timely reminder that we don’t sell any of these other products on our site… we only sell Series 2 footy cards manufactured by Select.

So now let’s begin the guide…

Select Australia released Series 1 Football Cards in March this year. They launched their collections named Champions in both the AFL and NRL. Rather than repeat something we’ve written about in the past, I will refer you to our article on the Champions Series 1 release here…

This year Select have also recommenced their AFL Stickers range… which is how I first got involved in the hobby many years ago. I’m not sure how popular they are in the modern era but I’m sure they will find some interested collectors. Here’s a few shots of them.

Also in March, Zone Properties released the latest version of their AFL Team Coach cards. This is an online game played in conjunction with cards purchased from AFL stores and selected newsagencies. The website for Team Coach cards can be found here: www.teamcoach.com.au/

April saw the launch of even more products. First there was the Footy Cards with your Newspaper, then the Smith’s Tazos in the AFL and NRL, and then AFL Chipz.

The Herald Sun launched their AFL collector cards with a special web site and television commercials created just for the promotion. I believe the Adelaide Advertiser ran the same cards with just the logo switched.

Likewise, the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph launched their NRL footy cards promotion with extensive television commercials and self promotion in the newspaper itself.

Both papers required collectors to buy a newspaper daily and purchase packets of cards. The Sun Herald promotion ran quite successfully however the Daily Telegraph ran into massive supply concerns. You can read some collectors comments on the Telegraph’s web site here.

Then Smith’s Chips released their popular Footy Tazos. Smaller than a regular football card, tazos are also distinguishable as they are made from plastic rather than cardboard. Found inside packets of Smith’s Chips the tazos successfully drive sales of the product every year. Check out their website here: http://www.smithsfooty.com.au/

Also in April this year Topps, the American Card company who hasn’t been involved with AFL for many years, reappeared with this new product called AFL Chipz. This product is shown below and is in the form of a poker chip. Their web site is here: http://www.aflchipz.com

While mildly popular with the kids, there has been significant criticism of this product by Anti-Gambling Groups concerned that these products, like poker chips, encourage children to look favourably on casino gambling. See this Article from The Age Newspaper in March this year.

So there are lots of products out there (and I may have even missed some), and I hope this simple guide helps you to understand some of the differences.

Ultimately it’s your choice on what you want to collect. My only advice is to know what you are collecting and why you’re collecting it.

We stick only to Series 2 because they are the Premium Footy Card on the market. Each new release contains real hand signed signatures, limited edition cards, a number of redemption cards to chase, but most of all they are a quality product printed on thick card stock with current season action photography.

That’s our choice… what’s yours? Tell us in the comment section below.

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If there’s a card or cards that you would like us to put the spotlight on please leave your comments below along with details of the card and why you feel it should be put “in the spotlight”.