Been a bit absent from Mantel for a while with a few pursuits keeping me busy, but have just returned to Australia for a little while, which allows me to return to my primary passion: AFL Cards.

I am part of the Select AFL Collectors Club which allows me guaranteed access to every release, & have purchased each one over the last 18 months I have been away, which have just built up at my parents place.

SO, without further ado, I present to you...

... one of the all-time GREAT MAIL DAYS 😍

I’ve posted about my love for this man before, so I’m absolutely shattered seeing this news this morning.

Truly one of a kind. Post your best Walton cards, & if so inclined, light one up & listen to some Grateful Dead later for the great one.

RIP Bill Walton 🌹

The Shohei craziness of last nights game (which I did not partake in, but will be watching eBay with a keen interest) made me think back to a game last year. My wife ADORES Mookie & wanted the Bobble, however work was going to preclude her attendance. She bought me the cheapest ticket possible to attend (I won't say no!) which was about $45 on the morning of. I traveled in around an hour before gates opened with a book loaded on my Kindle app. Thankfully was very close to front of line, as you will see from the photo of the line when I was already inside with a beer in hand!
As I've mentioned in some comments yesterday, had a bunch of resellers offer me $20 for the bobble - never was for sale, but was an eye opener to see just how many of them were running around collecting bags full of them. The early markets for the Shohei bobbles are INSANE as well, particularly for the road grey variation.
Great bobble this one though, a little different in that it shows Mookie in a dive/slide for a catch rather than traditional stance style. Always love the box art on them as a small note of things I enjoy, and of course the detail of the Gold Glove as well.

Randomly saw a promoted post for 'Rizo Sports & TCG' in Santa Monica this morning, & thought the store looked very familiar - aka Bleecker LA that opened just a couple months ago. What happened?