- He continued working while fighting the disease
- He died peacefully surrounded by loved ones
- Has left a lasting influence on AFL and VFL
The AFL is afflicting the loss of the Senior VFL coach of Essendon, Dale Tapping, who died Tuesday morning at the age of 59 years after a brave battle against myeloma, an aggressive form of blood cancer.
The tapping died peacefully on Tuesday surrounded by loved ones, only weeks before their 60th birthday.
The tips had continued working in the bombers during their treatment before succumbing to the rare disease.
His wife Kellie and his children, Summer and Mason survive.
The death of Tapping has sent shock waves through the AFL community, with tributes that come from players, coaches and officials who were touched by their dedication, passion and genuine care for sport and its people.
“On behalf of everyone in the Essendon Football Club, we are deeply sad for his loss,” said President Dave Barham.
Dale tapping has died from a rare blood disease, leaving behind the wife Kellie and her children, summer and the Mason
Tapping has been praised not only as a remarkable coach, but also an incredible human and friend
'Dale was an impeccable character who was universally loved and respected by those who were lucky to have crossed roads with him during his 28 years in the football industry.
'The thoughts of our club are with their wife Kellie, Summer and Mason, and the extended family of touch at this most challenging moment.
“He has left a lasting impact on Essendon Football Club and throughout the broader soccer 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 ESSENDON CEO, Craig Vozzo, said the club was sharing love and support for the Tiping family.
“Dale was a wonderful person and mentor of young men, an outstanding man and integrity,” he said.
'We were incredibly fortunate to give him to work in our club in the last three years. We will miss it sadly, but it has left us with many long -standing learning and memories.
The Battle of Tapping with the myeloma began in January 2023. Despite the challenges, he continued working with the club, a decision for which Vozzo praised him.
“The Footy Club has been fantastic, and players have been incredible in terms of general interest and care of how I go,” Tapping said at that time.
Tapping (left) worked at the VFL and was also an assistant at the AFL with Essendon and Los Lions Brisbane
Tapping also spent five years working as an assistant coach with the Brisbane Lions, with coach Chris Fagan leading tributes saying that “give it exactly the type of person and coach we needed.”
“He disappointed us when he and his family returned to Melbourne, but they were also totally excited with the contribution he made,” he continued.
'He was a fantastic football person, a super coach, a great father for summer and the mason and Kel's husband. We will all miss it a lot.
The Tapping training race covered almost three decades, starting at the local level with the old Brighton and the old Scottish in the VAFA.
He progressed to Elite Under 18 competition, training Sandringham dragons, before joining the Collingwood VFL program. His success with Collingwood earned him the award for coach of the year VFL 2016. In 2021,
Tapping joined Essendon as an assistant coach in his AFL program, supervising the reference line.
It was much appreciated for their communication skills and ability to develop players and, at the end of 2024, made the transition to VFL senior coach.
More to follow …