Essendon coach dies aged 59 following cancer battle
Essendon VFL and assistant coach Dale Tapping has passed away aged 59 following a battle with cancer.
The football veteran was first diagnosed with myeloma, an aggressive form of blood cancer, two years ago.
Despite his health battle, Tapping played a key role leading the Bombers forwards in 2024, and late last year, he was announced as the club's VFL coach for 2025 and 2026.
Tapping passed away on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family.
“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.”
Essendon's AFL coach Brad Scott also 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.”
Brisbane Lions head coach and former colleague Chris Fagan also paid tribute, by recalling Tapping'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.
He also recalled how Tapping's positive and resilient attitude helped the Brisbane Lions progress, adding that the VFL coach's “fingerprints are all over” their 2023 premiership.
“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.”
Tapping first went public with his diagnosis in April 2023, sharing how difficult it had been to decide how to tell their kids.
“Talking to them, that was ... I’m getting a bit emotional now,” he said at the time.
“That’d be the hardest conversation I’ve ever had to have."
He is survived by his wife Kellie, and children Summer and Mason.
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