Making Money Grading AFL Cards: Single Team or Player Strategy

1. Specializing in AFL Superstars & Legends

Focusing on one player or team in AFL can be profitable, but you need to choose wisely. Here’s how:

• Current Superstars: Players like Nick Daicos, Christian Petracca, Marcus Bontempelli, or Errol Gulden have a strong following, meaning their cards will always have demand.
• Club Legends & Hall of Famers: Players like Gary Ablett Sr., Gary Ablett Jr., Wayne Carey, and Chris Judd still hold value, especially in low-numbered or signed cards.
• Rookie & Draft Prospects: Investing early in top draft picks like Harley Reid can be a high-risk, high-reward strategy.

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2. Buying in Bulk & Grading Wisely

• Purchase large quantities of raw cards from sellers, breaks, or even factory-sealed boxes.
• Inspect carefully and only send the best-quality cards for grading to maximize PSA 9s & 10s.
• Avoid overgrading base cards unless they are superstars or low-population cards.

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3. Targeting Limited Edition & Special AFL Cards

• Numbered Cards: Select AFL cards are serial-numbered, making them more desirable.
• Signature Cards: On-card autographs from Select or Prestige AFL releases are always in demand.
• Draft Pick Cards: Rookie autos, especially low-numbered versions, tend to hold long-term value.
• Brownlow Medal & Premiership Cards: Players who win these awards see a value spike.

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4. AFL-Specific Market Strategies

• Tapping into AFL Fanbases: AFL fans are incredibly passionate, and team collectors will pay premiums for rare, high-grade cards of their club heroes.
• eBay, Facebook Groups, & AFL Collectors Pages: Selling in AFL-dedicated Facebook groups can sometimes be better than eBay, as you avoid fees and deal with true collectors.
• Set Collectors: Many AFL fans try to complete full team sets, making certain cards highly sought after.

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5. Timing the Market

• Pre-Season & Early Season Buys: Purchase and grade AFL cards before the season starts when prices are lower.
• Sell During Performance Peaks: If a player wins a Brownlow, kicks a massive bag of goals, or dominates a final, their cards will spike in value.
• Finals & Grand Finals Hype: Players on premiership-winning teams often see a huge boost in demand.

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6. Long-Term Hold vs. Quick Flip

• Quick Flip: If you're grading a young star, you may want to flip graded cards during hype moments.
• Long-Term Hold: Keeping legends’ graded cards (especially low-population PSA 10s) can yield big returns in the future.

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7. Breaking & AFL Hobby Community Engagement

• Running team-based box breaks where you focus on one team could also work in AFL since fan loyalty is so strong.
• Building a niche AFL-focused website, YouTube channel, or Instagram page could help create a dedicated buyer base.

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Final Thoughts

Yes, you can absolutely make money grading AFL cards focused on one player or team, but the key is selecting the right players, grading smartly, and selling at the right time.