Essendon has announced that long-term assistant coach Dale Tapping has been appointed as the VFL senior coach for the next two seasons.
Tapping has over 25 years of coaching experience, playing key development roles at the Bombers as well as Brisbane and Collingwood and TAC Cup club Sandringham Dragons in the past.
"It's a great opportunity to take on the role of VFL Senior Coach. I'm excited about where the club is in our development space and that there's an area of real growth to continue building on the foundations we've established already," Tapping said.
"I felt that throughout 2024, we made good inroads into this space, and I see my role as continuing to drive the development of our players and ensure they are constantly striving to be the best players they can be.
"For any successful football program, it's fundamental to have a really strong alignment between the AFL and VFL programs.
"Together with Michael Hurley and Travis Cloke and the rest of the AFL Assistant Coaching group, we have real capability within the team to ensure that both levels work in unity.
"Archie Roberts was a great example this year of how playing at VFL level can set a player up for to succeed for the demands of AFL football.
"We want all players to have a solid body of work behind them so they learn how to behave and play at a level that allows them to play sustainable AFL football when given the opportunity.
"This is what we want the foundations of our VFL program to be based on."
It was only 18 months ago that the 59-year-old was diagnosed with Myeloma, a blood cancer that turned his life upside down.
However, earlier this year, Tapping opened up on his battles to Zero Hanger and the positive developments in his recovery.
Now, he'll be leading Essendon's reserves side in the club's bid to bridge the gap between its AFL and VFL teams, an investment headed by Bombers AFL Talent & Operations Manager Matt Rosa.
Daniel McPherson (Essendon GM of AFL) said Tapping's appointment will further enhance this focus.
"Dale has been a key member of our AFL coaching panel over the past three seasons, and he is an excellent person to be now leading the VFL program," McPherson said.
"With his extensive coaching knowledge and pre-existing relationships among our coaches and players, Dale will continue to build on our progress over the past 12 months in ensuring our AFL and VFL programs are closely aligned.
"This role is crucial in ensuring player development is at the forefront of our AFL program, and a strong and aligned VFL program is critical in setting the club up for sustained success at both levels.
"The Club's commitment to growing our VFL program, as further evidenced by Dale's appointment as VFL Senior Coach, was influential in the re-commitment of 2024 Captain Xavier O'Neill and Vice-Captain Jackson Hately, as well as Jared Eckersleyย andย Cam Nyko for the 2025 season.
"The retention of players is an important part of building a strong, ongoing culture within a team, and these four players will be crucial in how we continue to build on the foundations we have already established."
