Essendon Assistant Coach Dale Tapping has been diagnosed with a type of blood cancer but will continue as Assistant Coach this season while he undergoes treatment.
After discussions with CEO Craig Vozzo, Senior Coach Brad Scott, coaching staff and the Essendon players, Tapping confirmed his willingness to keep working and remains committed to the club’s on-field success in 2023.
In his short time since joining the club in 2021, Tapping has become an integral part of Essendon’s Football Department and is highly respected across the AFL industry.
Myeloma is a type of blood cancer with Tapping to continue weekly treatment as he fights the disease. All players, staff and board members are 100% behind Tapping and are united in their support and friendship with him.
“I was sore for about three months since the end of the 2022 season, and it felt like a rib cartilage which I suffered during my playing days. The pain wasn’t going away and the simple question from the club doctor asking me about how I was going led to a diagnosis within 36 hours,” Tapping said.
“The challenge is accepting what I’ve got and now having a strategic plan and process of treatment. I’ve got a really good plan and handled by the best specialists and give us our greatest chance to live a long healthy life.
“Conversations leaving players out of finals teams are a walk in the park compared to speaking to your 14-year-old son and 17-year-old daughter about your challenge. They’ve been fantastic and I’m really proud of how they’ve handled it.
“I’m feeling okay with a regular exercise program. The specialists have strongly encouraged me to continue to work, keep things as normal as possible. I’ve made some slight adjustments around diet and exercise but nothing dramatic.”
Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo said the health and wellbeing of Tapping will always come first in his role as Assistant Coach.
“Family is one of our key values as a club and we will do everything we can to continue to support Dale and his family as he faces this challenge,” Vozzo said.
“As committed and unselfish as Dale is, it is important that he puts himself and his family first at this time and we will be with him every step of the way.”
Tapping is appreciative of all players, coaches and staff at Essendon for their support and thanks the wider AFL industry for the care they have shown.
“The footy club has been fantastic, and the players have been amazing in terms of general interest and care for how I’m going,” Tapping said.
“I’m very grateful given our current situation to come to work in an environment where 45 players & staff are chasing the best version of themselves. That attitude generates high energy which is great to be able to also contribute to that in my role as Assistant Coach.
“Your body sends you signals. It tells you there is something wrong. When it tells you there’s something wrong, go and get checked. I’m extremely hopeful that we grabbed hold of it at the right time and I stand a greater chance to live a long healthy life."
