Dale Tapping's Fitting Farewell
The late Dale Tapping was accorded a fitting farewell when more than 1000 mourners gathered for a memorial service in the members dining room at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday February 17.
Among guest speakers were 1987 Prahran premiership teammates Mark Barnard and Luke Soulos and fellow former Two Blues player Gary Sanders who introduced Tapps to Prahran in 1984.
You can leave a personal online tribute via the following link.
https://www.michaelcrawfordfunerals.com.au/funeral-notices/dale-tapping
DALE TAPPING, much loved and respected Prahran 1987 premiership player and Essendon assistant coach passed away on Tuesday morning February 4 after a battle with myeloma, a blood cancer.
Tapping, 59, played 105 senior games for the Two Blues, was best afield in the 1987 VFA premiership team and later played in the 1991 VFA Reserves premiership. He played for Melbourne Reserves and one game in a quarter final of the senior night series in 1988 before returning to Prahran.
He maintained his link with Prahran as our Community Sports Program manager from 2008 to 2016.
'Taps' impressive playing record was only bettered by a storied coaching CV beginning in the VAFA.
After a stint with Old Xaverians from 1993-96 as a player, Tapping was senior coach of Old Scotch and then Old Brighton.
He then coached then TAC League club Sandringham Dragons to a premiership in 2011 which launched an AFL coaching career as an assistant first with Collingwood, Brisbane and his most recent club Essendon.
Last year at the invitation of his 1987 premiership coach Greg Hutchison, then Prahran's Performance and Development manager, Taps (pictured) addressed the Prahran players at the 2024 season launch which proved to be a premiership season.
Taps had seemingly made a complete recovery after the initial diagnosis in 2023.
Sadly the cancer returned aggressively a matter of weeks ago.
He is survived by his wife Kellie, and children Summer and Mason.
Essendon president David Barham and coach Brad Scott led the tributes to Tapping.
“On behalf of everyone at the Essendon Football Club, we are deeply saddened by Dale's loss," 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.''
Scott said :“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. 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 premiership coach Chris Fagan paid a glowing tribute.
“I met Dale at a Leading Teams leadership seminar in 2016. I immediately admired his enthusiasm and love for coaching and AFL football.
“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.”
