NRL finals 2026: cards to watch right now

What is 2026 Select NRL League Heroes?

Select returned to the NRL licence after a 14-year absence. Retail packs run around $4 each, with 36 packs per box at roughly $135 and approximately 8,200 retail cases produced. The hobby version is priced at around $250 per box across 9,000 hobby boxes globally.

The insert structure runs from Luminous cards (one per pack) down through League Heads at one in three packs, and Game Breakers and Bang cards at one in four. Numbered hits begin at Gladiators (/599) and Mercury (/450), with the rare Golden Treasure (/80) as the hardest retail pull. Hobby boxes unlock exclusive inserts including Etched, Playmakers, and the TRYumph Black Signature (/17).

Why are Nathan Cleary cards so hard to find?

Cleary is the face of Penrith's dynasty. His base card (#145) and Luminous (L133) are both out of stock at major retailers, unusual for cards in the most widely printed tiers. The Panthers, 2026 minor premiers, are chasing a fifth premiership in six seasons and their seventh consecutive prelim final.

The card most collectors are watching is his Golden Treasure (/80). Asking prices on OzCardTrader forums were heading toward AU $1,000 in April 2026, though those are asking prices and not confirmed sales. If you are already holding one, snap a photo in CardLoft to track what similar listings are doing.

Which Roosters and Knights cards are collectors tracking?

James Tedesco had 11 tackle breaks in the Roosters' 46-10 semi-final win over the Sharks on 19 September, and his cards are getting attention as Sydney chases their first grand final appearance in seven years. His base (#175) and Luminous (L175) are both sold out at major retailers. Daly Cherry-Evans joined the Roosters mid-season ahead of the finals, adding another name to their card checklist.

Kalyn Ponga is the Knights' marquee player as Newcastle makes its first prelim final since 2013, aiming for a first premiership since 2001. Dylan Brown signed a 10-year, $13 million NRL-record deal with the Knights.

• Tedesco Golden Treasure /80 (Roosters): asking prices around AU $600 on Facebook Marketplace (asking price, not a confirmed sale)
• Tedesco Clive Churchill Predictor Gold /230 (Roosters): one per two retail cases
• Ponga Golden Treasure GT9 /80 (Knights): primary chase card; base #114 and Luminous L105 are sold out at major retailers
• Ponga Brilliance Superstars Gold #28/50: asking price AU $596.96 on eBay (asking price, not a confirmed sale)

What Dolphins cards should collectors know about?

The Dolphins are only three years into their existence and reached a prelim final for the first time in franchise history. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, known as Hammer, is the player drawing collector interest from this squad. His League Heroes cards, including Game Breakers, Bang, and Colours Die-Cut, are unnumbered and among the more accessible cards in the set.

His top numbered pull is the Brilliance /75. Photograph your cards in CardLoft to keep track of your Hammer collection as the set fills out.

What is the Clive Churchill Medal Predictor Gold card?

The Clive Churchill Medal goes to the best player on the field in the Grand Final, as voted by national team selectors after the match. Each of the four finalists has a Predictor Gold card limited to 230 copies, available at one per two retail cases. They are among the harder retail pulls in 2026 Select NRL League Heroes.

Nathan Cleary won the Medal in 2021 and 2023, so the Panthers slot draws particular collector attention. GF teams will not be confirmed until after the prelim finals on 27 September, so demand and context around each card will shift once those results are in. The 2025 winner was Reece Walsh of the Brisbane Broncos.

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