Western Football League club Yarraville Seddon is mourning the death of coaching director Dale Tapping who died on Tuesday following a two-year battle with cancer.
Better known as the Victorian Football League coach at the Essendon, Tapping also held part time roles with the Eagles, including being the assistant coach of the club’s premiership winning under-16s team featuring his son Mason last year.
Tapping joined Yarraville Seddon after moving to the inner-west following his return to Melbourne to work for Essendon in 2021.
In January 2023, the then 57-year-old was diagnosed with Myeloma, an aggressive form of blood cancer.
Yarraville Seddon secretary Dmitri Colebatch said Tapping’s commitment to the club, despite battling cancer and it not being his primary role, was inspirational.
“No matter where he was with his health he was there for us, even insisting on joining interviews by video when in hospital for treatment,” said Colebatch, who credited Tapping with being a huge part of the club’s growth over the past few years.
“He espoused culture first, and had a firm but calm demeanour that was highly effective. He will be sadly missed by all.”
After playing a playing career in the AFL reserves, the Victorian Football Association and amateur football, Tapping began coaching, rising to positions with Collingwood and the Brisbane Lions before spending the last four years at Essendon.
Essendon president David Barham said everyone at the club was 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,” he said.
Essendon coach Brad Scott said it was a privilege to have worked alongside Tapping and to have witnessed his impact on players and staff.
“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,” Scott said.
Tapping is survived by his wife Kellie, and children Summer and Mason. He was 59 years old.
In the Essendon statement, the Tapping family wished to highlight the care and support of St Vincent’s haematology ward and cancer centre and Myeloma Australia through this difficult time.
To donate to Myeloma Australia, visit: https://myeloma.org.au/make-a-donation-2 or to St Vincent’s Haematology Ward and Cancer Centre: https://www.svhm.org.au/support-us/st-vincents-foundation/ways-to-give
