‘One of the greatest I’ve ever met’: AFL world in mourning as tributes flow for respected coach Dale Tapping

The AFL world is in mourning after highly-rated coach Dale Tapping died on Tuesday morning due to cancer.

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Essendon released a statement announcing Tapping, who brought nearly three decades of experience to the game, passed away while surrounded by his family after a brave two-year battle with Myeloma — an aggressive form of blood cancer.

He was 59.

Tapping was part of coaching panels at Collingwood, Brisbane and Essendon, with all three clubs paying tribute on Tuesday.

Out of respect for the Tapping family, Essendon has postponed the club’s family day, which was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

“On behalf of everyone at the Essendon Football Club, we are deeply saddened by his loss. 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,” Essendon president David Barham said.

“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.”

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

After playing for Melbourne Reserves, Collingwood’s VFL team, Prahran (VFA) and Old Xaverians (VAFA), Tapping began his coaching career. He started at local level with roles at VAFA clubs Old Brighton and Old Scotch, before joining the Sandringham Dragons in the elite Under 18 competition.

Tapping then led Collingwood’s VFL program, culminating in a preliminary final appearance and being named the 2016 VFL Coach of the Year.

Former Collingwood VFL player Alex Woodward on Tuesday wrote on X: “One of the greatest I’ve ever met. Shattered. Rest in peace my friend.”

Former Hawks player and Carlton AFLW coach Daniel Harford added: “This is unbelievably sad. Tapps was one of the absolute good guys in footy and a brilliant coach, mentor and friend to many. Nothing but love to his family and friend.”

Tapping then joined the Brisbane Lions at the same time as Chris Fagan, taking charge of the club’s midfield brigade as an assistant coach.

“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 on Tuesday.

“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.”

Lions football boss Danny Daly added Tapping’s “fingerprints are all over our (2024) Premiership Cup”.

After five seasons at Brisbane, Tapping joined Essendon at the end of 2021, initially becoming an AFL assistant coach before leading the club’s VFL team.

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

“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.”

AFL Coaches’ Association chief executive Alistair Nicholson said his organisation would work with the Bombers to offer any necessary support for his family and other coaching members during this time.

“Dale was admired by his peers for his work ethic, his communication style and his ability to develop young players,” Nicholson said. “He also took great pride in improving his coaching credentials and career progression, underlined by him being awarded the AFL Coaches Association Career and Education Award for 2024.”