Essendon assistant coach Dale Tapping dies after illness

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The Essendon AFL team and the broader AFL coaching community are showing their respect for the passing of assistant coach Dale Tapping, who previously worked as an assistant at Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions.

Kicking the footy into touch in Sydney (correctly) - that should say, Tapping, 59, who was meant to be coaching Essendon's VFL team in '23, went down on Tuesday with Myeloma, a type of leukaemia that bugs the blood, which he'd had since the start of the year. He'd been putting in work at the club right up until a few weeks ago.

Tapping, who played footy for Collingwood and Melbourne in the VFL or AFL reserves but never at the top level, went on to make a name for himself as a coach, working his way up through Victoria's amateur teams (Old Brighton and Old Scotch) before getting a gig coaching Collingwood's VFL program a decade ago. He was the 2016 VFL Coach of the Year.

Spent five seasons there and headed to Essendon late in 2021, initially as a VFL assistant, then becoming forwards coach for Brad Scott in 2023 and 2024.

“Dale was an absolute ripper of a coach, but his real legacy is the big impact he had on players and staff personally,” Essendon senior coach Scott said in a statement.

“His commitment to helping them grow – on the field and off it – and his true passion for seeing people reach their goals, were traits greatly admired by everyone.”

“It was a privilege to have been mentored by him, and his lasting impact on the club will live on through the players and staff he guided throughout his career. Dale will be greatly missed by the entire AFL community, including everyone at the Bombers. Our thoughts are with his wife Kellie, and kids Summer and Mason, who have shown remarkable strength throughout this tough time.”

Essendon president David Barham said: "On behalf of everyone at the Essendon Football Club, we're are deeply saddened by his loss. He was a top bloke of extraordinary character who was well-loved and respected by everyone he met over the course of his 28 years in the footy industry."

“Our club's thoughts are with Kellie, their kids Summer and Mason, and the rest of the Tapping family at this tough time. He's left a lasting impression on the Essendon Footy Club and the wider footy community – and he'll be remembered as a person who put others first, with a real passion for people and the game that showed in everything he did.”

Tapping was involved in the game for a total of 28 years.

Essendon said the Tapping family “wanted to showcase the care and support of St Vinnie's Haematology Ward and Cancer Centre and Myeloma Australia through this tough time”.

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the league's concerns "are with the Essendon Football Club and the wider football community".

“Dale was held in very high esteem across the entire football community and made a considerable impact in various coaching positions at Essendon, the Brisbane Lions, Collingwood, the Sandringham Dragons, Old Brighton and Old Scotch as well as being a premiership teammate of mine at Old Xaverians,” Dillon said.

“Dale helped 'nurture and mentor' many young footballers who've gone on to have successful careers in the game, and in 2016 was awarded the VFL Coach of the Year honour after leading Collingwood to the preliminary finals.”

“G'day, our deepest condolences go out to Dale's wife Kellie, and the kids Summer and Mason, as well as his wider family and mates.”

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