Essendon assistant Dale Tapping steps away from the club to focus on health

Essendon assistant Dale Tapping will step away from the club as he focuses on the next round of Myeloma treatment.

The 58-year-old was diagnosed with Myeloma, a blood cancer, in March and has continued to coach the Bombers forward group while undergoing weekly treatment.

Tapping is making steady progress and will now solely focus on his health in the next few months.

Speaking to the club's website, Bombers General Manager of Football Josh Mahoney said Tapping has the full support of everyone in the club.

"Dale was diagnosed with Myeloma earlier this year and has been receiving weekly treatment. Up until this point, his treatment plan and his general wellbeing has allowed him to continue in his coaching role," Mahoney said.

"Dale has started a different treatment phase, which will require all his energy, and for this reason, he will step away from his coaching role for a period of time.

"As a club, we fully support Dale, Kelly, Summer, and Mason during this period and hope that the positive progressions made to date continue with his treatment."

In Tapping's absence, Essendon's head of development Cameron Roberts will be in charge of the club's forwards group, while head of performance Daniel McPherson will join the coaching group under Brad Scott.