Published: 14 days ago
Updated: 14 days ago
4 min read

Essendon coach Dale Tapping dies following battle with cancer

The AFL world is in mourning after the ‘universally loved’ veteran died just weeks before leading his team for the first time.

Essendon assistant coach Dale Tapping's heartbreaking conversation with his kids

Essendon coach Dale Tapping dies following battle with cancer

The AFL world is in mourning after the ‘universally loved’ veteran died just weeks before leading his team for the first time.

Essendon assistant and new VFL senior coach Dale Tapping has died aged 59 following a battle with cancer.

The football veteran was first diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer, two years ago.

He stepped away from his role midway through the 2023 season to focus on his treatment and health but returned to play a key role leading the Bombers’ forwards in 2024.

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Late last year Essendon announced he would take over as the club’s VFL coach for 2025 and 2026.

Tapping led the team’s pre-season and just three weeks ago said it had been “an awesome experience so far”.

He died on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family.

Dale Tapping during his time as Collingwood’s VFL coach.
Dale Tapping during his time as Collingwood’s VFL coach. Credit: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

“On behalf of everyone at the Essendon Football Club, we are deeply saddened by Dale’s loss,” club president Dave Barham said.

“Dale was a man of impeccable character who was universally loved and respected by those who were lucky enough to have crossed paths with him over his 28 years in the football industry.

“Our club’s thoughts are with his wife Kellie, children Summer and Mason, and the extended Tapping family at this most challenging of times.

“He has left a lasting impact on the Essendon Football Club and across the broader football community, and will be remembered as a selfless individual whose passion and care for people and the game was evident in everything he did.”

The club’s AFL coach Brad Scott paid tribute to his friend and colleague.

“Dale was an outstanding coach, but his true legacy lies in the profound impact he had on players and staff personally,” Scott said.

“His dedication to their growth — both on and off the field — along with his genuine love for seeing people succeed were qualities admired by all.

“It was a privilege to have coached with him, and his legacy at the club will endure through the players and staff he mentored throughout his career.

“Dale will be deeply missed by the AFL industry and everyone at the Bombers. Our thoughts are with his wife Kellie, and children Summer and Mason, who have shown incredible strength throughout this difficult time.”

The respected development coach joined the Bombers ahead of the 2022 season following a five-year stint at the Brisbane Lions.

He had also spent time working in the VFL with Collingwood, being named 2016 coach of the year, and Sandringham Dragons in the under-18 competition.

Tapping played a crucial role in the Lions’ rise.
Tapping played a crucial role in the Lions’ rise. Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann, football boss Danny Daly and coach Chris Fagan mourned the loss of Tapping on Tuesday.

Daly said Tapping’s “fingerprints are all over” their 2023 premiership while Fagan recalled his ex-colleague’s impact on his first years at the club.

“I met Dale at a Leading Teams leadership seminar in 2016. I immediately admired his enthusiasm and love for coaching and AFL football,” Fagan said.

“A few months later I was appointed coach of Brisbane. I knew the job was going to be tough and that I would need resilient and positive people around to help get the team back on track.

“Dale was exactly the type of person and coach that we needed so I gave him a call and he and his family agreed to come. He was just as I thought he would be during his five years of service, and he influenced our progress significantly.

“We were disappointed when he and his family moved back to Melbourne but were also totally thrilled with the contribution he made.

“He was a fantastic football person, a super coach, a great Dad to Summer and Mason and husband to Kel. We will all miss him dearly.”

Dale Tapping died on Tuesday morning surrounded by family.
Dale Tapping died on Tuesday morning surrounded by family. Credit: Getty

Tapping first went public with his diagnosis in April 2023, sharing how difficult it had been to decide how to tell their kids.

“It was a weird 20-minute drive home,” he said.

“I spoke to my wife, had a chat — how do we manage the kids? Initially we thought, ‘Let’s get all the information and then tell them, so they know’.

“And that was our plan for the first couple of days, but then some family knew, and I started to get a couple of calls ... (saying), ‘Are you OK?’

“Then a mate of mine rang me from the other side of (town) ... a guy I played footy with, a really close mate, and he rang me and he goes, ‘How are you going? I’ve heard you’re crook’. So, I don’t know how it got to (him).”

The check-ins from elsewhere prompted Tapping to hasten the process.

“Talking to them, that was ... I’m getting a bit emotional now,” he said.

“That’d be the hardest conversation I’ve ever had to have.

“Because I knew what I had been diagnosed with ... (but we) weren’t seeing the specialist until Tuesday, I had a really big week with testing to find out how far this is or what’s the depth of this. It’s myeloma, but is it everywhere? I had to go in and find out all the information and get armed with all the right tools and information and plan.

“Talking to them was really difficult and sharing that (news) because I didn’t have all the information. And I was still trying to understand it in my own mind - or we were, not (just) me. That was really tough.”

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