Collingwood congratulates Dale Tapping on his appointment as an assistant coach at the Brisbane Lions.

Tapping has led Collingwood’s VFL program since 2013, coaching the side to finals every year including a preliminary final in season 2016 during which he was awarded VFL Coach of the Year.

Prior to his role with the VFL Magpies, Tapping coached premierships at the Sandringham Dragons in the TAC Cup (2011) and Old Brighton in the VAFA (1997).

Tapping also spent a year as the club's Midfield Development Coach in 2012 and has been instrumental in the development of Collingwood’s young players across his four years at the club.

Senior coach Nathan Buckley wished Tapping all the best.

“We place great importance on individual growth and as such we see this as a great opportunity for ‘Taps’ to take his education as a coach further in an AFL program,” Buckley said.

“’Taps’ leaves having helped develop our young players coming through and we wish both him and his family all the best in their move up north.”