Essendon assistant coach Dale Tapping has been diagnosed with Myeloma, a type of blood cancer, the club has confirmed.
While requiring weekly treatment to combat the disease, Tapping will continue in his role with the Bombers for the year ahead following discussions with CEO Craig Vozzo and senior coach Brad Scott.
Essendon have stated that Tapping is willing to " keep working and remains committed to the club's on-field success in 2023."
Tapping, who joined Essendon in 2021 following a successful spell with Brisbane, detailed the difficulty in learning the diagnosis.
โI 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,โ Tapping said in a club statement.
โThe 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.
โConversations 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.
โI'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.โ
Tapping paid thanks to the supporting network around him, stating he is "very grateful" for those at the club and across the league.
โThe footy club has been fantastic, and the players have been amazing in terms of general interest and care for how I'm going,โ Tapping said.
โI'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.
โYour 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."
Tapping has held previous roles with Collingwood and the Sandringham Dragons, and was named the 2016 VFL Coach of the Year during his time with the Magpies.
Essendon's 2023 season will commence next Sunday when they clash with Hawthorn at the MCG.